A Malaysian man has been sentenced to nine months in jail for smuggling 12 arowanas into Singapore over 10 trips between September 2023 and April 2024. Liyu Kim Guan, 51, pleaded guilty to six charges under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, with five additional charges taken into consideration. Liyu had agreed with an unknown individual named “Albert” to import and deliver the arowanas to customers in Singapore for a fee of up to RM450 (S$135) per delivery.
Background
This case marks the first detected instance of arowana smuggling in 2024, among approximately 18 wildlife smuggling cases identified at Singapore’s checkpoints this year. Of these, six involved the smuggling of arowanas. The National Parks Board (NParks) highlighted the significance of this case, given the high conservation priority placed on Asian Arowanas due to their vulnerable status in the wild.
Had an import agreement with unknown person in Singapore
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers discovered an Asian Arowana in Liyu’s Malaysian-registered vehicle at the Tuas Checkpoint at around 6:24 pm on May 7, 2024. The fish was hidden in the trunk among heavy machinery tools. Authorities seized the arowana, a rice gunny sack, two mobile phones used for coordinating deliveries, and the vehicle.
Investigations revealed that Liyu had conducted similar smuggling operations on 10 other occasions from September 2023 to April 2024. He was paid between RM300 (S$89) and RM450 (S$135) per delivery by “Albert,” who transferred the money to Liyu’s bank account once he returned to Malaysia.
On May 16, after his arrest, Liyu sent a WhatsApp message to a group within the Asian arowana community, requesting financial assistance to pay any potential fines. He promised to offset contributions from future deliveries of arowanas, stating, “When I go back to Malaysia, I will continue to transport arowana to SG. My supplier will continue to work with me and we will make it better to send fish to your house.” At the time, Liyu was out on bail.
Penalties and other arowana smuggling case
Asian Arowanas are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), indicating a high risk of extinction if their trade is not strictly regulated. NParks emphasised that importing Asian Arowanas into Singapore requires a CITES permit, and trade is only permitted under exceptional circumstances, such as for scientific research or breeding operations to aid in species recovery.
In a similar case on July 19, 2024, two months after Liyu’s arrest, a 55-year-old Malaysian man, Mohd Firdaus Ng Bin Abdullah, was caught smuggling one live Asian Arowana via the Woodlands Checkpoint without a valid CITES permit. He had agreed to bring the fish into Singapore for a male Singaporean acquaintance for S$50. Officers found the arowana packed in a clear plastic bag on the floorboard of the front passenger seat compartment. Mohd Firdaus was sentenced to one week’s jail on August 2.
Conservation efforts and future implications
The strict enforcement of CITES regulations underscores the importance of protecting endangered species like the Asian Arowana. NParks continues to monitor and crack down on illegal wildlife trade to preserve biodiversity. The recent cases highlight the ongoing challenges in combating wildlife smuggling and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between authorities and the public. Future implications may include stricter penalties and enhanced surveillance at checkpoints to deter such activities.
