Article: Perhilitan D-G: Illegal trading in wildlife ‘an old story’

Tuesday August 11, 2009

By YENG AI CHUN

PETALING JAYA: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is keeping mum over allegations that Malaysia is a major wildlife trafficking centre.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Rasid Samsudin had replied: "it is an old story" when asked to comment on the Starprobe story yesterday alleging that illegal trading in wildlife had put Malaysia on the world map for the wrong reasons.

When pointed out that the problem was still going on and the number of cases were getting higher, Abdul Rasid said: "I cannot comment on that."

However, Abdul Rasid said the department has established an inter-agency cooperation relationship with the Customs, police and army to curb wildlife smuggling.

When asked what happened to confiscated shipments now, he replied Perhilitan returned seized consignments to the country of origin, or release the animals back into the wild. The seized carcasses were disposed.

As for allegation that Anson Wong had benefited from auctions of confiscated shipments due to his connection to a high ranking officer in the department, Abdul Rasid said this was a "story from the past".

Wong was convicted of wildlife smuggling and jailed 71 months in United States. He now resides in Penang.

He also refuted allegations that special permits by Perhilitan issued to theme parks, private zoos and individuals for keeping animals had been used to cover smuggling activities.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said it would issue a statement on the matter today.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 11 August 2009