Filipino teen gets 3 years jail, RM50K fine for having 92kg of green turtle parts

File photo of a green turtle being released into the sea at the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) at Rantau Abang, Terengganu. - Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: A Filipino teenager has been sentenced to a three-years jail and fined RM50,000 in default a year's imprisonment for possessing 92.5kg of protected green turtle parts.

Junaidi Umarati, 19, pleaded guilty before Tawau Sessions Court judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud after the charges were read out to him in the Bajau language on Wednesday (Oct 3).

The charges were read out by a translator from the Sabah Wildlife Department.

According to the charge sheet, Junaidi was accused of possessing 73.5kg of turtle shell (plastron), 17.5kg of marginal scales and 1.5kg of turtle tails. 

He was accused of possessing the items at about 3.30pm at the Sisipan waters off Semporna district on Aug 24.

All the parts belonged to the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) species which are "totally protected" under Sabah's Wildlife Conservation Enactment.

An offender can be jailed up to five years and fined between RM50,000 and RM250,000 if found guilty.

Silvester @ Sylvester Saimin of the Sabah Wildlife Department prosecuted.