Roy See Wei Zhi New Straits Times 31 Dec 10;
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has beefed up security at all entry and exit points to the country prone to animal smuggling, by deploying more officers in those areas.
In addition, the department has increased the use of informants to gather information on illegal activities involving wildlife.
"We have increased the number of informants to tip us off on any animal trafficking and poaching syndicates in the country," Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abd Rasid Samsudin told the New Straits Times via email.
"We also share information with non-governmental organisations and members of the public to ensure we have eyes and ears everywhere."
Perhilitan has 500 officers deployed nationwide to nab illegal animal traffickers and poachers. This number excludes officers from other law enforcement agencies such as the Customs Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the armed forces and police.
"The (Perhilitan) officers have been placed on patrol across the peninsula, with emphasis on animal smuggling hotspots," said Rasid.
The heightened security measures coincided with a new law to curb illegal trafficking of animals. The new Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 was enforced in the peninsula and Labuan on Tuesday.
It replaced the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and sees penalties increased to a fine of up to RM500,000 and not more than five years in jail, while the minimum penalty imposed for several offences is not less than RM5,000.
"The new law is more comprehensive, which will serve as a deterrent and dissuade most poachers and traffickers from continuing their trade. The scope also includes Labuan.
"It also covers amphibians, arachnids and gastropods. This scope of protection will help in the conservation of wildlife, in line with the National Biodiversity Policy," he added.
Rasid said the new legislation had granted the department unprecedented powers in enforcing the provisions of the new law.
"Section 90 of the act stipulates that other public officers are now also empowered to enforce the law aimed at conserving wildlife."
Meanwhile, Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network deputy regional director Chris R. Shepherd believed that the heavier sentence will deter some illegal traders from continuing their criminal acts.
He said Malaysia, along with Thailand and Indonesia, was home to many unique species and was conveniently located in the region for such illegal trade activities to occur.
"Air travel seems to be the preferred mode of transport for these traffickers. Enforcement in the airports will be paramount to the success of curbing wildlife trafficking."
Shepherd said seaports, meanwhile, were more popular for large shipments of products derived from exotic animals such as ivory.
Pangolins, certain species of reptiles and turtles from Malaysia are highly sought-after in China as many Asians believe they possess medicinal properties.
"Other unscrupulous individuals want to own exotic pets for vanity reasons, or as a fashion statement, which is cruel to these animals," Shepherd said, adding that the global animal trafficking industry was worth "billions of ringgit".
On people who claimed that they were not aware of buying illegally-sourced animals, Shepherd said if they were serious enough to spend large sums of money on exotic pets, they would know the status of the animals.
"Ignorance is not an excuse," he added.
