SIBU: A goat farm director pleaded not guilty to three counts of possessing 23 totally protected animals in the Sessions Court here.

       Tang Jung Lung, 46, claimed trial before judge Marutin Pagan on Thursday (March 17) and was released on bail of RM3,000 in one surety.

       The offences were allegedly committed at 12.15pm on Oct 1, 2019, at his family's goat farm.

       In the first charge, the accused was found in possession of one Oriental hornbill and one Bornean giant turtle.

       It was an offence under Section 37(2)(a) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, which carries a jail sentence of two years and a fine of RM250,000 for each animal.

       As for the second charge, Tang is said to have in his possession six porcupines, three treeshrews, two estuarine crocodiles, two Bali mynas, one hill myna, one parakeet, one sunbear, one bear cat, one pig-tailed macaque and one long-tailed macaque.

       The offence under Section 37(2)(b) of the same ordinance provides for a jail term of one year and a fine of RM10,000 per animal.

       In the third charge under Section 37(2)(c) of the same ordinance, Tang is accused of having in his possession one Wallace's hawk-eagle and one rock dove.

       If convicted, he is liable to be sentenced to one year's jail and fined RM2,000 per animal.

       Marutin fixed April 7 for case management.