Customs yet to receive info on alleged elephant tusk smuggling – director
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Royal Malaysian Customs Department has yet to receive any official information about the alleged elephant tusk smuggling case, which was believed to have occurred at the North Kalimantan-Sabah border in Nunukan.
Its director, Datuk Dr Haji Janathan Kandok said this when referring to a report made by an Indonesian media outlet, whereby it was stated that a man was arrested for allegedly smuggling a single tusk, weighing some 2.7 kilograms.
"As of now, we have not received any information on this issue. However, in accordance to our common practice, we will be conducting a thorough examination on these allegations.
"We will check whether the smuggled exhibit was in fact an elephant tusk," Janathan added.
Janathan assured the public that his department would be disclosing any relevant information upon receiving them.
Commenting on the allegation, which stated that the said tusk was smuggled through the 'legal' route instead of the 'llegal' route, Janathan said that the allegation could not be confirmed yet as they had yet to receive any confirmation on the matter.
"However, if the alleged smuggler were to export the tusk to foreign countries, how else would he do so if not through the airport or ports?" he added.
Janathan reiterated that the Custom Department would be tightening their control to prevent any unwanted smuggling cases.
Based on a report by The Malay Mail Online, the Sabah Wildlife Department was informed about the seizure of a Bornean elephant tusk from an Indonesian migrant worker travelling from Tawau to Kalimantan several days ago.
Janathan spoke to the media during the Ops Kutip Hasil 30 Juta 500 Penghutang Peringkat Sabah yesterday.