Dept wants wildlife trader to pay dearly (Malaysia)
Nuradilla Noorazam, New Straits Times
February 21, 2013
KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has requested an appeal to be filed against the light sentence imposed on a wildlife trader for possession of tiger skins, bones and elephant tusks.
A Perhilitan spokesman said the two years' jail imposed on Mohd Nor Shahrizam, 30, by the Alor Star Sessions Court recently was too lenient and disproportionate to his crimes.
"We have submitted a request for an appeal against the sentence as it does not include any fine against the culprit.
"By right, those caught with possession of tiger body parts face a mandatory, minimum fine of RM100,000, and mandatory imprisonment. However, in this case, the culprit was only jailed and not even ordered to pay the minimum fine as prescribed in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010," the spokesman said.
It was reported that wildlife conservation groups were outraged that the court had only jailed Nor for a total of 60 months - 24 months for possession of seven tiger skins, 24 months for keeping 22 whole tiger bones, and 12 months for having nine elephant tusks.
However, because the judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently, Nor would only be in jail for 24 months. He was caught with the wildlife body parts in Kampung Sungai Dedap, Kota Sarang Semut, Kedah.
Malaysia Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MyCAT) had described Nor's conviction as a "featherlight sentence".
The group urged for the mandatory fine to be imposed and for a deeper investigation into the case as it is believed to involve a high-profile international trafficking ring.
The tiger population in Malaysia is estimated to be just around 500, compared with the 1950s when 3,500 were estimated to roam the jungles.
Records showed that wildlife traders were usually let off with relatively light sentences.
Last year, four men were acquitted after killing a tiger in 2010, despite the fact that all four had admitted to the offence.
Another high-profile case involved international wildlife trafficker Anson Wong Keng Liang, who successfully reduced his jail sentence from five years to 17 months after an appeal.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has requested an appeal to be filed against the light sentence imposed on a wildlife trader for possession of tiger skins, bones and elephant tusks.
A Perhilitan spokesman said the two years' jail imposed on Mohd Nor Shahrizam, 30, by the Alor Star Sessions Court recently was too lenient and disproportionate to his crimes.
"We have submitted a request for an appeal against the sentence as it does not include any fine against the culprit.
"By right, those caught with possession of tiger body parts face a mandatory, minimum fine of RM100,000, and mandatory imprisonment. However, in this case, the culprit was only jailed and not even ordered to pay the minimum fine as prescribed in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010," the spokesman said.
It was reported that wildlife conservation groups were outraged that the court had only jailed Nor for a total of 60 months - 24 months for possession of seven tiger skins, 24 months for keeping 22 whole tiger bones, and 12 months for having nine elephant tusks.
However, because the judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently, Nor would only be in jail for 24 months. He was caught with the wildlife body parts in Kampung Sungai Dedap, Kota Sarang Semut, Kedah.
Malaysia Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MyCAT) had described Nor's conviction as a "featherlight sentence".
The group urged for the mandatory fine to be imposed and for a deeper investigation into the case as it is believed to involve a high-profile international trafficking ring.
The tiger population in Malaysia is estimated to be just around 500, compared with the 1950s when 3,500 were estimated to roam the jungles.
Records showed that wildlife traders were usually let off with relatively light sentences.
Last year, four men were acquitted after killing a tiger in 2010, despite the fact that all four had admitted to the offence.
Another high-profile case involved international wildlife trafficker Anson Wong Keng Liang, who successfully reduced his jail sentence from five years to 17 months after an appeal.
Article at the following link:
http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/dept-wants-wildlife-trader-to-pay-dearly-1.222031
http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/dept-wants-wildlife-trader-to-pay-dearly-1.222031