TAWAU: A father and son were sentenced to a year in prison and fined RM100,000 by the sessions court here today for illegally possessing turtle shells and plastrons (undersides of turtle shells).
Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud meted out the sentence against Tambisan Pagai, 52, and Tambulang Tambisan, 32, after they pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 41 (1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
Awang also ordered that they be jailed for another three years if they fail to pay their fine. They did not pay the fine today.
According to the charge sheet, the accused were found to be in possession of 17.5 kilogrammes of plastrons and 4.5 kilogrammes of shells from green turtle species at 4.30pm on Oct 14.
They were accused of committing the offence in Kampung Labuan Haji waters off Pulau Bum-Bum, Semporna.
Sabah Wildlife Department prosecuting officer Abdul Karim Dakog conducted the prosecution, while both the accused were unrepresented.
According to the facts of the case, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel spotted the duo on a pump boat while conducting a sea patrol operation.
Upon inspection, the personnel discovered the turtle shells and tools used to catch turtles.