Malaysia: Bid to smuggle in sugar gliders from Batam foiled

The Star 2 Mar 11;

KOTA TINGGI: An attempt to smuggle in more than 200 sugar gliders near here was halted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).

APMM (southern region) commander First Admiral Zulkifli Abu Bakar said that five officers were patrolling the waters near Pengerang when they noticed a water taxi four nautical miles east off Tanjung Penyusup at about 7.30am yesterday.

When they approached, the vessel suddenly sped off towards Indonesian waters. However, the officers managed to thwart its escape.

Upon checking the vessel, the officers found the squirrels packed in nine cages.

The vessel’s tekong (captain) and one crewman, aged between 36 and 44, were detained while the squirrels would be sent to the state Veterinary Department.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspects brought the squirrels in from Batam, Indonesia, and had planned to sell them at a location somewhere within Pengerang waters.

“The sugar gliders originate from Papua New Guinea and Western Australia, and they are reportedly popular among Asian buyers as they believe the nocturnal animals will bring them good luck,” he said.

The case is being investigated under the Import and Export Control Regulations of Animals Act (Amendment 2006) 1953.

200 sugar gliders seized from smugglers
New Straits Times 1 Mar 11;

One of the 200 sugar gliders seized from an Indonesian-registered water taxi in Tanjung Penyusup, Pengerang, yesterday.

KOTA TINGGI: Two Indonesians were arrested for trying to smuggle 200 sugar gliders (opossums) valued at RM64,200 in Pengerang's Tanjung Penyusup.

The duo, aged 36 and 44, were on a boat with nine cages of opossums when a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) enforcement team swooped on them at 7.30am yesterday.

The cages were covered with gunny sacks to calm the exotic animals and also to elude the authorities.

MMEA southern region marine officers were on regular crime prevention rounds in a patrol boat when they spotted the Indonesian-registered water taxi with two men behaving suspiciously.

A short chase ensued when the Indonesian skipper tried to flee towards Indonesia's Batam.

MMEA southern region enforcement head First Admiral Zulkifili Abu Bakar said the officers managed to stop the water taxi before it reached Indonesian waters.

"Initial investigations revealed that the Indonesians, who were from Batam, were heading towards Pengerang, where the opossums were to be sold to an exotic animal trader before it was to be exported to pet collectors overseas."

Sugar gliders can be found throughout the northern and eastern parts of Australia, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Sugar gliders are a favourite among exotic pet collectors because it is believed to be able to bring luck to its owners.

The opossums, now in the custody a Johor veterinarian, are normally sold between RM200 and RM350 each depending on its size and fur colour.

The men are being investigated for breaching import and export regulations of the Scheduled Wild Animals Act 1953.