NEW STRAITS TIMES (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 31 May 08 Duo charged with possessing and torturing 70 pythons (Rita Jong)
Putrajaya: Two men trading in exotic animals were charged yesterday with torturing 70 pythons by keeping them in a sack and taping their mouths with masking tape.
They were also alleged to have had in their possession five types of protected animals including, harimau kumbang (a black leopard) and biawak tikus (clouded monitor lizards).
Khor Lian Hup, 38, and Tan Yong Hua, 40, both claimed trial at the Kajang magistrate's court here.
They face six charges under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972:
- possessing a dead black leopard;
- possessing part of the meat and skin of an estuarine crocodile, known as buaya tembaga;
- possessing seven clouded monitor lizards;
- possessing part of the meat and skin of a deer;
- possessing 73 pythons; and
- torturing 70 pythons by keeping them in a sack and taping their mouths with masking tape.
The alleged offences occurred at No. 5 Jalan SP2/3, Taman Segar Perdana, Batu 9, Cheras at 7.50am on May 25.
Magistrate Mazuliana Abdul Rashid granted Khor and Tan bail of RM10,000 with one surety each for all the charges and fixed Dec 15 for trial.
Deputy public prosecutor Md Azar Irwan Moh Arifin and Wildlife Department prosecuting officer Shamsuddin Osman prosecuted while counsel Ben Lee represented both the accused.
It is believed the animals were destined for the local market and were worth RM100,000.
Duo charged with possessing and torturing 70 pythons

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