Based on the input provided by Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), the government does acknowledge that the existing legislation, Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 (Act 76), is inadequate in combating wildlife crime especially the poaching and smuggling of wildlife in large quantities. The department through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) is formulating a new legislation with strengthened provisions on penalties to combat and deter such wildlife crimes.
The department has undertaken a number of measures to strengthen law enforcement activities under the present legislation. This includes the creation of a Wildlife Crime Unit 2005, as a flying squad to strengthen information gathering and respond immediately to wildlife crimes.
As a result, the department has successfully apprehended and prosecuted a number of wildlife cases dealing with poaching and smuggling of protected wildlife, including pangolins and clouded monitor lizards. This includes the recent successful arrest of a poacher and the seizure of illegally poached wildlife worth RM3 million.
The department has also strengthened its inter-agency cooperation, especially with the Royal Malaysian Customs, Anti Smuggling Unit, Maritime Enforcement Agency, army and Royal Malaysian Police. Through such cooperation and through enhanced patrolling, the department has apprehended trespassers, including foreigners into Taman Negara National Park. However, cooperation from the public in terms of information relating to wildlife crime will greatly assist the department in taking immediate actions to combat wildlife crime. Therefore, we urge the public to come forward with information through the online reporting mechanism (e-aduan) that could be accessed through www.wildlife.gov.my. In addition, members of the public can contact any of the wildlife officers through the telephone numbers listed at the website.
Dr Amerjit Singh
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
This article was taken from: the malay mail: mailbox 27 november 2008
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