Singaporean jailed and fined for smuggling wild birds into Johor
11 birds were confiscated from a Singaporean man at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor, Malaysia. (Photo: Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department)
JOHOR BAHRU: A man was sentenced to seven days jail on Jun 7 for smuggling 11 wild birds in a vehicle across the Causeway from Singapore to Malaysia.
Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) said on Wednesday (Jun 21) that the 47-year-old Singaporean was also fined RM80,000 (US$17,208) by the Johor Bahru Sessions Court.
He pleaded guilty to the offences under Section 60(1)(a) and Section 68(1)(a) of the Wild Life Conservation Act (Amendment) 2022.
On May 31, the man was arrested by Malaysian authorities at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex of Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) after attempting to smuggle the wild birds into the country without a valid permit.
According to Perhilitan, checks at the passenger seat of the vehicle found that the wild birds involved four figs, three blue and gold macaws, three scarlet macaws and one yellow-headed amazon.
“The individual does not have any valid documents or permit from Perhilitan to own the wildlife,” said the Perhilitan in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Perhilitan officers also seized 10 wooden boxes, one bird cage, a vehicle, mobile phones and a bird perch.
All the confiscated items have been disposed of and forfeited to the Johor Perhilitan while the decision to confiscate the vehicle will be decided by the court on Wednesday.
The department also noted that it is very serious and committed to conserving the country's biodiversity treasures and curbing wildlife crime.
