Cops urged to curb environmental crime
KUALA LUMPUR: The police are urged to boost their human capital and assets to curb the increasing number of environmental crimes.
Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vicechairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye yesterday said the police should consider establishing a department dedicated to tackling environmental crime.
“Active and aggressive involvement of the police and their collaboration with other enforcement agencies can address related issues, including thwarting syndicates that are involved in poaching, timber theft and illegal land clearing.
“Although some of the offences fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies and the state government, the role of police is crucial to reduce environmental crimes,” he said.
Environmental crimes encompass a broad list of illicit activities, including illegal wildlife trading, smuggling of ozone-depleting substances, illicit trade of hazardous waste, unregulated and unreported fishing, illegal logging and timber trading.
Lee said joint enforcement between the police and relevant agencies could put a stop to uncontrolled hillslope development.
“Apart from development, uncontrolled land clearing has also become one of the main causes of landslides.
“This aspect of surveillance is important because a research done by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia showed that there are 21,000 landslide hotspots nationwide, with 16,000 of them in Peninsular Malaysia.”
Lee said the fight against environmental crime required the cooperation and participation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders.
“NGOs should educate and create awareness among the people about the importance of natural treasure as well as the prevention of crime against the environment.
“This platform can also be used to discuss related issues, such as forest encroachment, illegal logging and crime against wildlife, which will have a negative impact on the community and environment.
“River and sea pollution is another example of environmental crime, and through awareness programmes, stakeholders can focus on issues related to forest management and the environment more efficiently and effectively.
“The prevention of environmental crimes will indirectly protect animals, including endangered wildlife and marine species.”
He said the prevention of environmental crime by police was timely and was in line with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s action to address environmental crimes that were linked to integrity and corruption.
It was reported that environmental crimes were becoming rampant due to the alleged betrayal of agencies that were supposed to be responsible for preserving the environment.
Environmental crimes refer to violations of criminal law by any party, including the public, that may affect the environment.