Keeping sun bear: Case management on Aug 26

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here fixed Aug 26 for the case management of singer Zarith Sofia Yasin who is accused of keeping and confining a sun bear cub at her apartment last month.Judge Manira Mohd Nor set the date during a mention of the case yesterday.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prose­cu­tor Muhammad Syamim Abd Manan told the court that all documents related to the case had been handed over to the defence.

The former reality TV programme participant, who is also known as Pia, was represented by counsel Tan Jiin Hock.

On June 12, Zarith Sofia, 27, claimed trial to keeping a sun bear cub without a special permit.The animal is a totally protected species under the Second Schedule of the Wildlife Conser­vation Act 2010.

The charge under Section 69 (1) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and punishable under Section 69 (1) of the same Act provides for a fine of up to RM200,000 or imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both, upon conviction.The singer is also accused of confining the cub in an environment that was not conducive to its comfort and health and was charged under Section 86 (1) (c) of the same Act which carries a fine of not less than RM5,000 and not exceeding RM50,000 or impri­sonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, upon conviction.

The offence was allegedly committed at a condominium unit in Desa Pandan here on June 6. — Bernama