SANDAKAN: A 44-year-old man was sentenced to one year in jail and fined RM50,000 by the Sessions Court here on Thursday after pleading guilty to possessing 120 green turtle eggs, a fully protected species in Sabah.
The accused Jumadil Jamil entered his guilty plea after the charge was read out before Sessions Court Judge Khushairy Ibrahim.
The court also ordered him to serve an additional six months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.
According to the charge, Jumadil was found in possession of 120 green turtle eggs (Chelonia mydas) at about 8.06pm on 4 July 2025, in a parking area in front of a restaurant in Kota Kinabatangan.
The green turtle is listed as a fully protected species under Schedule 1, Part 1, Item 8 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
Jumadil was charged under Section 41(1) of the enactment, which is punishable under Section 41(4)(a).
Upon conviction, offenders face a fine of between RM50,000 and RM250,000, imprisonment for a term of between one and five years, or both, as provided under the relevant law.
The prosecution was conducted by Sabah Wildlife Department prosecuting officer Primus Lambut. Jumadil was unrepresented by legal counsel. – James Leong
Jumadil Jamil (centre), being escorted by State Wildlife Department personnel at the Sandakan Courthouse.
