A Malaysian man was sentenced to nine months in prison on September 10 for smuggling endangered Asian arowanas into Singapore without proper permits, Channel News Asia reported. Liyu Kim Guan faced six charges of illegally importing the species, with five additional counts considered during sentencing, according to a statement from the National Parks Board (NParks).

Liyu was stopped at Tuas Checkpoint on May 7, where officers discovered a live Asian arowana concealed in a gunny sack inside a tub of water in his car’s trunk. During questioning, Liyu admitted his intent to bring the fish into Singapore for delivery to a recipient.

NParks revealed that Liyu had previously smuggled the fish into Singapore at least 10 times. Upon his arrest, authorities seized the arowana, two mobile phones, and his Malaysia-registered vehicle as evidence.

Asian arowanas are classified as critically endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and face extinction without strict trade regulations. Importing the species is prohibited unless they are bred in registered facilities or for non-commercial purposes, and any such imports must have valid permits.

Liyu had arranged with an individual known only as "Albert" to deliver the arowanas to Singapore for a fee. Between September 2023 and April 2024, he brought a total of 12 fish into the country over several trips. Despite knowing the legal requirements, Liyu deliberately avoided applying for the necessary permits.

While out on bail in May, Liyu solicited funds from members of the arowana community via WhatsApp, promising future deliveries in exchange for contributions to cover any fines. NParks noted that this was the first arowana smuggling case detected in 2024, with six such incidents reported so far this year.

The illegal trade of animals like the Asian arowana poses risks to both animal welfare and public health, NParks warned, urging prospective pet owners to adopt from reputable sources.