SIBU: Two men have been sentenced to a month in jail and fined RM1,000 each by the Sessions Court here on Friday (Oct 15) after they pleaded guilty to having 4,468 pieces of pangolin scales in their possession.

       According to the facts of the case, six officers from Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) stopped the two accused, Andrew Talie (age not stated) and Asdie Risman, 18, at about 7.40am on Tuesday (Oct 12) at Jalan Tanahwang for inspection.

       The accused were found with 4,468 pangolin scales in their possession without any valid licence or permission from the controller of SFC.

       They had thus committed an offence under Section 29 (2) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1998.

       The offence provides for imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to RM10,000 per individual animal or animal part in possession.

       Justice Marutin Pagan presided.