KUCHING: A 42-year-old housewife was fined RM40,000 in default 12 months imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today (July 8) for possessing 2,000 sea turtle eggs without a licence.
Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar imposed the fine on Mazina Sulong after she pleaded guilty to an amended charge under Section 37(1) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The offence is punishable under Section 37(2)(a) read together with Section 29(1)(c) of the same Ordinance.
The court also ordered the forfeiture and disposal of the seized exhibits.
According to the amended charge, Mazina were found in possession of 2,000 sea turtle eggs (Chelonidae sp.), a derivative of a totally protected animal, without a licence at a parking area next to a petrol station near Metrocity Heights 1, at about 11 pm on July 28, 2025.
The offence was uncovered during a joint raid by officers from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and the Marine Police.
Investigations revealed that the accused failed to produce any written permission from the Controller of Wild Life authorising them to possess the turtle eggs.
The raiding team seized all 2,000 sea turtle eggs, a Proton Iriz, the vehicle’s keys, and two mobile phones as part of the investigation.
Further investigation confirmed that the seized eggs belonged to the Chelonidae species, which is listed as a Totally Protected Animal under the First Schedule of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.
In mitigation, Mazina pleaded for leniency, telling the court that she is a housewife, married with nine children, while her husband works as a fisherman.
Mazina appealed for a lighter sentence and requested that a fine be imposed instead of a custodial sentence.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Aiman Nabila Alwi and Leonard Baring appeared for the prosecution. Mazina were unrepresented.
