SANDAKAN: A 42-year-old foreign fisherman was sentenced to seven months’ jail by the Sessions Court here on Wednesday for possessing mangrove wood without a permit.
Judge Roslinda Razali handed down the sentence after Ren Ahmad pleaded guilty to the offence.
He was charged under Section 30(1)(g)(iii) of the Forest Enactment 1968, punishable under Section 30(2)(b) of the same law, which provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
The court heard that Ren committed the offence at about 3.30pm on March 12 this year at Sungai Batu Putih here, where he was found in possession of nine pieces of mangrove wood without valid authorisation under the Forest Enactment.
The prosecution was conducted by Forestry Department prosecuting officer Elrimeo Emin, while the accused was unrepresented.
