VVIPs won’t escape the law, says IGP
KUALA LUMPUR: If you engage in illegal hunting or poaching, the police are coming after you, even if you are a “very, very important person (VVIP)”.
That warning was issued by the country’s top cop yesterday after a meeting between the police, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and Forestry Department at Bukit Aman on the ongoing Ops Bersepadu Khazanah aimed at curbing illegal hunting and poaching as well as wildlife smuggling.
Several foreign syndicates that had been profiting from the illicit trade have been identified as well. Some were also working with locals, who would bring these syndicates to wildlife-rich areas.
Perhilitan deputy director-general for conservation Fakhrul Hatta Musa told the media that his officers had also been threatened and injured by poachers in the past.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said that the police were going all out to combat the trade.
“These are our land and our jungles. But foreigners can come in and threaten enforcement officers? I cannot accept that.
“There are those who attack Perhilitan officers, so we have placed the Senoi Praaq (police personnel consisting of the Orang Asli) with them. I have issued orders that if the actions of these poachers cause injury or deaths, then they (police) are allowed to return fire,” he said.
“I have received information that there are also VVIPs who are involved in these activities. If they are identified, I will ensure that their firearms will be seized. And if caught at the scene, they will not be able to escape from being charged,” he added.
Abdul Hamid also noted several areas for improving efficiency, such as proper footwear for patrolling the jungle.
Acknowledging that standard police boots were unsuitable for jungle patrols, he said he had given permission for lightweight and water-resistant boots to be used.
In addition to this, the men no longer need to carry full rations while on patrol so that their backpacks can be lighter.
“Instead, additional supplies will be airdropped to increase patrol times to around one month at a time,” said Abdul Hamid, who added that the police’s air wing and marine police would assist when needed.
The Anti-Money Laundering Act team will also be called upon to identify individuals in the illegal ivory trade.
“They will provide assistance and firepower to the operation. This shows how committed we are,” he said, adding that heavier penalties for offenders, including mandatory whipping, were also discussed during the meeting.
“We are a tropical country with a rich and diverse flora and fauna. And the United Nations is observing if we are a responsible country or otherwise,” he said.
Launched by Abdul Hamid on Sept 3, Ops Bersepadu Khazanah saw the arrest of 10 men, including seven Cambodians, after several raids held between Oct 10 and 20.
Animal parts worth almost RM1mil, including an elephant tusk, parts of a tiger’s skin, and pangolin scales, were among the items seized in operations involving Perhilitan and the Senoi Praaq (Battalions 3 and 18).