Sarawak yet to crack ‘turtle egg’ case

Sharon Ling, The Star 19 May 09;

KUCHING: There were no concrete evidence or facts that turtle eggs were con­sumed at a police function in Feb­ruary, initial investigations showed.

However, Second Minister of Plan­ning and Resource Management Da­­tuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan told the state assembly yesterday a report of the investigation conducted by the Fo­­­­rest Department and the Sarawak Fo­­restry Corporation had been forwarded to the state Attorney-Gene­ral’s Chambers for legal advice.

He said the investigation was carried out following the publication in local newspapers of photographs showing the eggs on dinner tables on March 2 and a police report lodged by Violet Yong (DAP - Pending).

“Should any such case come to light in future, we urge the public to report it immediately to the Forestry Department and the corporation so concrete evidence can be obtained to facilitate investigations and further action,” he told the House when winding up the debate on points related to his ministry yesterday.

The sale and eating of turtle eggs is illegal.

On another matter, Awang Tengah said the entry of sawn timber or “batak” from Indonesia into Sarawak must be accompanied by official documents issued by the relevant Indonesian authorities as proof of their legality.

He said the Sarawak Timber Indus­try Development Corporation would seize any timber shipment that entered the state without the supporting documents.

He added the corporation had asked the relevant Indonesian autho­rities to undertake proper verification of these documents before the “batak” was taken out of Indonesia for enforcement to be effective.

Turtle eggs report sent to A-G
The New Straits Times 19 May 09;

KUCHING: A report on the incident in which turtle eggs were served at a police dinner function in February has been forwarded to the state Attorney-General's chambers for further action.
Planning and Resource Management Minister II Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who said this, added that the investigations were conducted by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation.

This followed reports in the local media in March and the police report lodged by the DAP assemblywoman for Pending Violet Yong on March 4.

"In such cases, it is best for the public to immediately report the matter to the authorities," he said in his winding-up speech for his ministry during the state assembly meeting here yesterday. -- Bernama

Related article
Sarawak Assembly: 'Eerie silence' on cops feasting on turtle eggs query Desmond Davidson, New Straits Times 14 May 09;