Govt officer surrenders for stealing priceless rhino horn

JOHOR BARU: A remorseful high ranking government officer from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Johor surrendered himself at the Johor Baru Central police station on Christmas day over the theft of a priceless preserved rhinoceros' horn artefact belonging to the Royal Abu Bakar Museum of Johor.
Johor Police chief Datuk Wan Ahmad Mohd said in a press conference here that the director surrender himself last night at 9.40pm and has been remanded.
"The 46-year-old director who was transferred to Johor in August is alleged to have committed the act on Oct 19 when he was at the former Johor State Government office at Bukit Timbalan for a meeting.
"The 100-year-old odd horn, believed to be the result of a successful hunt of the royal family, was left to dry after preservation works on it, when it captured the eye of the director who coolly took it with him on his way back at 2.30pm," he said.
He added that the director's actions were captured by CCTV and he returned the horn through his chauffeur two days later in 'mint condition'.
The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code that whoever commits theft can be punished with imprisonment up to seven years or fine or with both.
Meanwhile, on Christmas eve, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had visited the Royal Museum in Istana Besar with Johor fans as posted on the Johor Southern Tigers webpage.
In the posting, it was reported that fans had an opportunity to visit the Hunting Room where preserved animals that were hunted by the late Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim were displayed.