20-05-2025
Court approves disposal of seized animal parts in Sibu
Some of the wildlife meat seized by SFC. – Photo courtesy of SFC
SIBU (May 20): The Magistrates' Court here today allowed applications by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) for the disposal of about half a tonne of wild animals' parts, including freezers used to store them, which were seized from residential units, shophouses and pasar tamu.
Senior assistant registrar Jessica Lee, sitting as magistrate, allowed the applications filed by the wildlife officer pursuant to Section 48 of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 (Chapter 26) and Section 407A of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593).
According to the applications submitted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin of the State Attorney-General's Chambers appearing on behalf of SFC, all the seized exhibits were of perishable nature, and the freezers were equipment provided under Section 407A of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593).
Furthermore, there were constraints in proper storage space at the Sibu Regional Office.
'One of the suspects has since absconded despite Warrant of Arrest being issued by the trial judge at the Sessions Court in Sibu in the midst of trial proceedings,' he added.
Among the seized wild animal meat were cuts from wild boar (Sus barbatus Suidae species), deer (Cervus Unicolor species), reptile belonging to Python species, and one lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil species).
The suspects were being investigated under Section 37(1) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 (Chapter 26).
Several wildlife officers attended the court proceedings. animal parts Court disposal lead Sarawak Forestry Corporation
