Call for task force to curb poachers, wildlife trade in Malaysia

New Straits Times 28 Aug 09;

KUALA LUMPUR: In the battle against poachers and the illegal wildlife trade, two non-governmental organisations have called on the government to set up a task force to stamp out the activities.

With the recent arrest of a Thai poacher in the Belum-Temengor forest complex in Perak on Sunday, WWF Malaysia and Traffic feel that a well-coordinated effort between the enforcement agencies is needed to fight the menace.

WWF Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma said the police, Wildlife and National Parks Department and WWF's Wildlife Protection Unit (WPU) are doing a good job, but a greater commitment is needed.

"Stopping armed poachers is dangerous and difficult work that needs the support of many agencies.

"I urge the government to form a task force, comprising additional enforcement agencies such as the army, Immigration, Customs and forestry departments and the Perak State Parks Corporation to join the fight to stamp out poaching and cross-border encroachment," he said recently.

Traffic Southeast Asia's Chris R. Shepherd said there must also be a move towards more intelligence-led investigations to smoke out the masterminds and backers of poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

"Ridding the forests of poachers is an on-going and important task, but it is essential to remove the main culprits behind the scene -- the big dealers running the show," he said.

The Thai poacher from Chiang Rai was among five poachers ambushed by police at their camp site where 30kg of rice and other essentials were stocked, indicating they were planning a long-term operation.