SEREMBAN: Three individuals have claimed trial at the Sessions Court here for possessing protected wildlife without a permit.
Suria Mat Yunus, 48; Muhammad Ikwan Mat Yusoff, 26; and Muhammad Fitri Zali, 24, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them before Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam.
Muhammad Ikwan was charged with keeping two blue-winged leafbirds, which are totally protected, without a special permit.
Suria was slapped with three charges of being in possession of a blue-winged leafbird, a scarlet minivet and a sultan tit while Muhammad Fitri was charged with possessing a blue-winged leafbird and a burung bayan serindit.
The trio allegedly committed the offences around 12.20pm on Nov 19, 2023, on Jalan Kampung Langkap in Tanjung Ipoh, Kuala Pilah.
They were charged under Section 68(1) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which carries a fine of between RM50,000 and RM500,000, or a jail term of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
Wildlife and National Parks Department prosecuting officer Gilmoore G. Bolongon offered the accused bail of RM3,000 with one surety each pending re-mention.
However, the trio, who were unrepresented, appealed for lower bail as they said they had families to provide for.
Judge Mohamad Kamil then allowed bail of RM2,000 for Muhammad Ikwan while Suria and Muhammad Fitri were offered bail of RM4,000 each.
They were also required to report at the nearest police station once a month until their cases are disposed of.
The court then fixed Sept 25 for re-mention.
