Police all out to stamp out illegal wildlife trading, poaching

KUCHING: Illegal wildlife traders and poachers in Sarawak can count their days to ‘extinction’ as police statewide will be identifying and arresting those involved.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail said all 28 district police chiefs had been ordered to follow the new directive from the InspectorGeneral of Police to eradicate wildlife crimes in Malaysia.

“Sarawak police will also be working closely with the relevant authorities to carry out this task and put a stop to wildlife crime,” said Aidi when contacted yesterday.

IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador told a press conference on Aug 19, after an ‘Ops Khazanah’ meeting in Sepang that the directive was part of the police’s continuous effort to conserve and protect Malaysia’s wildlife.

He also told reporters that each district police chief must submit a detailed report of any known premises involved in illegal wildlife trade and exotic food to Bukit Aman by Sept 18.

Abdul Hamid also warned that stern action would be taken against district police chiefs who fail to identify these premises within the stipulated period.

When contacted, Padawan police chief Supt Aidil Bolhasssan said they would be actively involved on the ground to identify premises that are involved in wildlife crime.

“We have received the directive and will be on the ground to check and see if there are premises trading in such items,” said Aidil yesterday.

Kota Samarahan police chief DSP Sudirman Kram also said that his men were currently gathering intelligence and would monitor any alleged activities.

Wildlife crime in Sarawak is an offence punishable under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.

Any person who hunts, kills, captures, sells, offers for sale or claims to be offering for sale, imports and exports, or is in possession of any totally protected animal (and protected

Sarawak police will also be working closely with the relevant authorities to carry out this task and put a stop to wildlife crime. Datuk Aidi Ismail

animal) or any recognisable part or derivative or any nest thereof, shall be guilty of an offence.