A trader was slapped with a RM4,000 fine after he admitted to cutting down a tree which had been around for five decades without obtaining permission from the Kuantan City council.
55-year-old Liau Hai Keong pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read out by the court interpreter in front of magistrate Wahidah Zainal Abidin yesterday (Jul 4).
M’sian man fined RM4K for cutting down 50yo tree on his own
Liau’s act was captured on camera and went viral on Facebook, where he was seen cutting down a Yellow Flame tree (Batai Laut) which was 50-years-old, reported NST.
According to the charge sheet, Liau was accused of cutting down a tree with a diameter of more than 0.8m within the jurisdiction of the Kuantan City Council without getting written consent beforehand.
The act was allegedly committed at Bandar Indera Mahkota at about 11am on April 21.
Additionally, the case facts revealed that Liau had instructed several individuals to cut down the tree as it was blocking his business premises.
He was charged under Section 35H of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, which provides for a maximum fine of RM10,000, up to three months in jail, or both.
In court, prosecuting officer Mohammad Nur Hafiz Ramlan, who represented the city council, said the Yellow Flame tree which Liau cut down was protected and that the council spent tons of money to upkeep it.
He also added that Liau’s actions have since posed an eyesore to the public.
Liau’s attorney, Mohd Shuhairi Ziqrul Sapi, asked the court to hand the minimum fine, saying that his client had to support his wife and four kids with his RM2,000 income.
“He has repented and will be careful with his actions in the future. Furthermore, he has already paid a compound and the civil charges initiated by the Kuantan City Council for his action,” he said.
Liau was eventually ordered to pay RM4,000 in fines in default of two months in jail, which he paid on the spot.
READ ALSO:
