KOTA TINGGI: Three Indonesian men were fined RM16,500 each by the Kota Tinggi Sessions Court here today for possession of agarwood (gaharu) and also for entering the Mersing forest reserve without a valid permit.

The three men identified only as Hasan, 41, Gom Gom Manurung, 33, and Laurensius Molo, 31, pleaded guilty to both offences before Sessions Court judge Salawati Djambari.

Upon sentencing, she said the trio faced jail of up to 20 months if they failed to pay the fine. The three men, all estate workers, were charged with keeping agarwood, a natural resource of the forest which is of high value, at the Mersing forest reserve at Compartment 15, Mersing at 10.15am last Sunday. (May 22)

The trio were also charged with a second offence committed at the same time and place, for tresspassing into the reserve without first getting an entry permit from the relevant authorities.

The charges were read in accordance with the committed offences stipulated under the National Forestry Act 1984 and Section 34 of the Penal Code.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Dayana Mohamad said the three suspects had blatantly entered the reserve for in search of the agarwood, as the trees were known for its high value due to its rare medicinal properties, and can be made into essential oil and resin.

Defence Counsel Aziz Shukor, who represented the trio, pleaded for leniency, saying his clients have repented.

“They have repented and will not be taking any more of the agarwood out of the jungle again. They also were not aware of the regulations in this country which require an entry permit. They were unaware that it was a forest reserve, as they thought it was an open jungle,” Aziz said.

-New Straits Times