In Butterworth, a 46-year-old businessman was fined RM70,000 by the Sessions Court for possessing exotic animals, including 197 pythons, without a valid license. Loh Kok Keong pleaded guilty to all seven charges before Sessions judge Noor Aini Yusof.
The charges included possessing four Ball Pythons in his pickup truck during an inspection by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) at a petrol station in Bagan Lalang in July 2023. He was also found in possession of 193 Ball Pythons in an apartment in Butterworth.
Additionally, Loh was charged with possessing a Leopard Tortoise in another nearby apartment unit. Further charges were brought against him for having two Yellow Footed Tortoises, two Indian Star Tortoises, two Sulcata Tortoises, and two Green Iguanas, all without a valid license.
He was prosecuted under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both upon conviction. The judge, Noor Aini, imposed a RM70,000 fine for all offenses, with default jail terms ranging from one to 10 months.
Furthermore, Loh’s seized pickup truck and mobile phones were ordered to be returned to him. The prosecution was led by DPP Nazarudin Kamarudin and Nadzatul Nattassha Mustapa Kamal from Perhilitan, while Loh was represented by lawyer Foong Choon Kit.
