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KUCHING (Feb 7): A 51-year-old woman was fined a total of RM12,000 by the Sessions Court here for illegally entering Mount Tabai within Dered Krian National Park, removing soil, and building a hut without proper permission.
Judge Iris Awen Jon sentenced Kristina, an Indonesian permanent resident, after she pleaded guilty to all three charges. Failing to pay the fines would result in a total of 14 months’ imprisonment.
The fines were broken down as follows:
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- RM3,000 or three months’ jail for trespassing into Mount Tabai under Section 26(a) of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998.
- RM4,000 or five months’ jail for removing soil without permission under Section 26(g) of the same ordinance.
- RM5,000 or six months’ jail for erecting a hut on the mountain under Section 26(i).
Kristina committed these offences on Aug 24, 2024, around 9:30am. Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) officers on patrol at Mount Tabai stopped her four-wheel drive vehicle and found 31 gunny sacks filled with soil. The officers also discovered a hut built in the area.
An investigation revealed that Kristina had no valid permission from the controller to enter the protected area, remove soil, or construct any structure within Dered Krian National Park.
Deputy public prosecutor Aiman Nabila Alwi and prosecuting officer Leonard Baring represented the prosecution. Kristina was defended by counsels Patrick Voon and Tiong Ing Neng. Several park rangers and a representative from Justice for Wildlife Malaysia also attended the court proceedings.
Mount Tabai is part of Dered Krian National Park, known for its rich biodiversity and cultural significance. Authorities remind the public that any unauthorized activities in protected areas are serious offences and can lead to severe penalties.