SEREMBAN: A married couple was each fined RM6,000 by the Sessions Court here after they pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of bearded pig meat without a permit.
Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam handed down the sentence after Chau Thim Choy, 53, and his wife Ng Sui Ping, 52, admitted to the charge.
Bearded pigs (Sus barbatus) are a totally protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
The offence was committed around 3.55pm at a premises in Broga, Mantin, on Aug 20, 2020.
They were charged under Section 68(1)(b) of the Act, punishable under Section 68(1) of the same legislation read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Offenders can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
Counsel for both accused, Low Kin Fai, said his clients thought the meat they bought from the orang asli was wild boar.
He said they could not tell the difference as they had only purchased a portion of the meat.
Wildlife and National Parks Department prosecuting officer Gilmoore G Bolongon said this was not an excuse.
He said the bearded pig is totally protected as it is facing extinction.
"Previously, we could find the animal all over the peninsula but due to the destruction of their natural habitat and uncontrolled hunting, they are only found in Johor these days," he said.
Earlier, the couple also pleaded guilty before Judge Mohamad Kamil to another charge of keeping two blue-crowned hanging-parrots (Loriculus galgulus) at the same place and time.
They were charged under Section 60(1)(a) for keeping protected wildlife without a licence or special permit, an offence punishable under Section 60(1) of the same Act read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Offenders can be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to two years, or both, upon conviction.
The accused were fined RM5,000 each for this offence.
They paid both the fines.
