WIFE OF WILDLIFE TRADER ANSON WONG CHARGED IN COURT

Anson's wife in court over possession of tortoises

   

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BALIK PULAU: Cheah Bing Shee, wife of wildlife trader Anson Wong, appeared in a Sessions Court here over a mention of a case against her and two others for allegedly possessing five elongated tortoises which are protected species.

Cheah, 56, was jointly charged with Syarikat Rona Wildlife Enterprise and its director K. Muthukomar with illegally possessing three male elongated tortoises (indotestudo elangota), also known as baning lonjong jantan, under Section 68(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

Cheah, believed to be the manager of Rona Wildlife, Muthukomar and the company are also alleged to have had two female elongated tortoises, the possession of which is prohibited under Section 70(1) of the same Act.

The offences were alleged to have been committed at Lot 157, Mukim 1, Pantai Acheh, Balik Pulau, at 1.30pm on Nov 24, last year.

The first offence carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of up to three years, or both. The second offence carries a maximum fine of RM300,000 or jail term of up to 10 years, or both.

Cheah, Muthukomar and the company, had claimed trial when first charged in court on Dec 19, last year.

The case came up for mention yesterday but counsel for the three, Ramesh Raj, informed the court that the prosecution had yet to hand over four registration books to the defence.

Sessions judge Caroline Bee Majanil then fixed the case to be mentioned again on April 8. Shahruddin Othman from the Wildlife and National Parks Department appeared for the prosecution.

Cheah, Muthukomar and the company are on bail.