SARIKEI: Three men were each fined RM25,000 in default 10 months’ jail by the Sessions Court here on Monday after they pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of forest produce.
Guyang, 33, Relly Igang, 26, and Jamal Tiban, 37, were also ordered to pay the government RM437,935.20 each, or 10 months’ jail in default.
On March 26, foreigner Joko Prasetiyo was produced in the Sessions Court to face similar charge.
He pleaded guilty and was also fined RM25,000 in default 10 months’ jail, and was also ordered to pay the government RM437,935.20.
The four men were charged under Section 96(1) of the Forest Ordinance 2015 (Chapter 71) and punishable under Section 96(1) and Section 96(3) of the same Ordinance.
The Section provides for a fine not less than RM25,000 and not exceeding RM150,000 or a jail term not exceeding five years or both.
The offenders are also liable to paying the government a certain amount in pursuant to Section 96(3) of the Forest Ordinance.
The four men were caught for the offence at 6.15pm on March 4 at Muara Batang Rajang in Tanjung Manis. They were on board a vessel mounted with a red/orange crane when they were found to be in possession of 298 logs that did not bear any registered property mark. The vessel along with the crane were forfeited.
It is learned that all four accused did not pay the fine and the money due to the government. The foreigner, meanwhile, will be deported after serving his jail sentence.