Malaysia: Sabah to probe photos of minister being served turtle eggs in Sandakan

RUBEN SARIO The Star 4 Nov 15;

KOTA KINABALU: A probe will be launched over photos of a federal minister being served what appears to be turtle eggs in Sandakan.

The photographs show Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob having dinner at a seafood restaurant together with Beluran Umno chief Datuk James Ratib.

A plate of what appears to be at least two-dozen turtle eggs is seen on the table before them.

Turtles are protected under the under Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997.

It is considered an offence to harvest, sell or consume turtle eggs in the state and those convicted are liable to a fine of RM50,000 or to five years' imprisonment or both.

The photographs, which have gone viral on social media, have sparked an outcry among conservationists here.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said an investigation was initiated after the photographs surfaced.

“The Sabah Wildlife Department is probing this matter,” he said on Wednesday.

When contacted, James denied that turtle eggs were served during the dinner.

On what type of eggs are seen in the photos, James said, “I don’t know.”

A group of NGOs and research organisations said they were shocked upon discovering the photographs.

“What message are we conveying to the world when our own government officials consume products of endangered species,” said the group.

They said the Sabah Wildlife Department must take action to send out a strong message that protected species were not for sale or consumption.


Ismail Sabri: I didn’t eat turtle eggs, I only ate fish
DINA MURAD The Star 4 Nov 15;

PETALING JAYA: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has denied consuming turtle eggs during an event in Sabah.

“During that particular dinner, I did not take any turtle eggs. I only ate fish, because I have to control my cholesterol level,” he said.

Photographs which went viral on Wednesday show the minister having dinner at a seafood restaurant in Sandakan together with Beluran Umno chief Datuk James Ratib.

A plate of what appears to be at least two-dozen turtle eggs is seen on the table before them.

Being a guest at the function, Ismail added that he was not aware that the restaurant was going to serve turtle eggs.

He also said that he was regretful that turtle eggs may have been served during the event as he was a campaigner of “say no to shark’s fin” during his tenure in the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.

He added that he is also actively involved in turtle-conservation efforts in Redang Island.

When contacted on the matter earlier, Beluran Umno chief James denied that turtle eggs were served during the dinner.

On what type of eggs were seen in the photos, James said, “I don’t know.”

Turtles became protected under the under Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997.

It is considered an offence to harvest, sell or consume turtle eggs in the state and those convicted are liable to a fine of RM50,000 or to five years’ imprisonment or both.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said an investigation was initiated after the photographs surfaced.

“The Sabah Wildlife Department is probing this matter,” he said.


Ismail Sabri denies eating turtle eggs
RUBEN SARIO and DINA MURAD The Star 5 nov 15;

PETALING JAYA: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has denied consuming turtle eggs during an event in Sabah.

“Saya memang pantang makan telur penyu kerana kolesterol yang tinggi (I don’t eat turtle eggs as they are high in cholesterol).

“It has been a long time since I’ve eaten turtle eggs,” he said in a text message to The Star.

He said this yesterday when told the Sabah Wildlife Department had opened investigations into the matter after photographs of him being served turtle eggs at a seafood restaurant in Sandakan appeared all over social media.

Seated with him at the table where the alleged turtle eggs were placed was Beluran Umno chief Datuk James Ratib.

In Kota Kinabalu, Wildlife Department director William Baya said they had begun their probe after being made aware of the photographs.

Turtles are protected under the Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997.

It is considered an offence to be in possession of these animals or their products such as eggs and those convicted face a fine of RM50,000 or up to five years’ jail or both.

The photographs, which have gone viral on social media, have sparked an outcry among conservationists here.

“I have directed two of my officers to investigate this case by questioning the owner of the restaurant.

“We will also seek the assistance of the Sandakan Municipal Council and the organisers of the dinner function to get a better picture of how turtle eggs managed to make it on the menu,” said William.

When contacted, James denied that turtle eggs were served during the dinner.

Asked what where the eggs on their table, James replied: “I don’t know.”

A group of NGOs and research organisations expressed disappointment upon discovering the photographs.

“What message are we conveying to the world when our own government officials consume products of endangered species?” they asked.

They urged the state Wildlife Department to act against the offenders to send out a strong message that protected species were not for sale or consumption.


More trouble over turtle eggs
The Star 20 Nov 15;

KOTA KINABALU: The turtle egg eaters are in for another round of trouble after new photos, this time showing consumed eggs on the plates of a federal minister and Sabah Assemblyman at a dinner recently.

The new photographs went viral again on social media, after the first round early this month where Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob attended a dinner with Beluran Umno chief Datuk James Ratib.

After the first batch of photos went viral, Ismail denied eating turtle eggs offered at the dinner, saying that he was watching his cholesterol levels and Ratib had said he did not know what type of eggs were served.

In one of the earlier photographs taken at an event on Aug 29, Ismail was seen seated at the table near a plate of unconsumed turtle eggs.

Citing evidence based on four new photos posted by "Deadturtle Sabah" in the comments section of the Walai Penyu Resort Libaran Facebook page, several NGOs as well as research organisation Danau Girang Field Centre said the authorities must take necessary action regardless of the positions held by individuals in the photos.

“We are asking the Sabah Wildlife Department if they will charge the guests of the dinner for consuming, and the owner of the restaurant for serving eggs of a Totally Protected species,” they said in a joint statement yesterday.

In Parliament, Ismail Sabri continued to defend himself, saying that during a kenduri (feast), Muslims would serve beef.

“Just because there is beef, one cannot assume that the Hindus attending the kenduri will eat the beef. Hindus in Malaysia will not eat beef as it is against their religious belief.

“So, please do not assume that just because it is served on the table, one has eaten it,” he said before starting his ministry’s winding up speech for debate on the 2016 Budget.


Groups urge action over turtle eggs issue
STEPHANIE LEE The Star 19 Nov 15;

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department has been urged to investigate and take action again those responsible for the “turtle eggs issue”, regardless of their position.

New photos surfaced recently purportedly showing consumed turtle eggs on the plates of Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Beluran Umno chief Datuk James Ratib plates at an event on Aug 29.

Earlier this month, photos went viral on social media of a plate of unconsumed turtle eggs on the table at the dinner in Sandakan.

Citing evidence based on four new photos posted by user Deadturtle Sabah in the comments section of the Walai Penyu Resort Libaran Facebook page, several NGOs and research organisation Danau Girang Field Centre said the authorities must take necessary action.

“We are asking the Sabah Wildlife Department if they will charge the guests of the dinner for consuming, and the owner of the restaurant for serving eggs of a Totally Protected species,” they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

“Nobody should be above the law. We look forward to hearing the results of the department’s investigation into the matter,” said the representatives of Borneo Rhino Alliance, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, HUTAN, Kudat Turtle Conservation Society, Land Empowerment Animals People, PACOS, Reef Guardian, Sabah Environmental Trust, Sabah Shark Protection Association and Sabah Environmental Protection Association.

They pointed out that a boatman was arrested recently following the seizure of 3,000 turtle eggs on a pump boat and that the Wildlife Department has stated the suspect would be charged under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment.

The groups said it was alarming that endangered species were being traded or killed in Sabah despite stringent laws, such as the case of two sun bears highlighted in the media just a few days ago.

“We cannot stay silent and allow this to go on and on. The public needs to voice their concern and the enforcement authorities need to do their job,” the groups added.

They added that regardless of where the eggs were from, such as from a neighbouring country, it was illegal to possess, sell or consume them.

Ismail Sabri has denied consuming the eggs, while Ratib said he did not know what type of eggs had been served.

On Thursday, the minister once again rebutted accusations against him, urging people not to assume that he ate the eggs just because they were served at the dinner.

“In these new images, there is indication that the personalities in question did indeed consume turtle eggs. This is not acceptable at all,” the groups said


Just because turtle eggs were served doesn’t mean I ate them, says Ismail Sabri
HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM The Star 19 Nov 15;

KUALA LUMPUR: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) has once again defended himself in relation to the turtle egg issue.

Likening the situation to Hindus at a feast where beef is served, Ismail Sabri urged people not to assume that he had consumed turtle eggs at a dinner with Beluran Umno chief Datuk James Ratib.

“There will be Hindus who also attend the kenduri (feast) and on the table, there will be beef dishes, either rendang or gulai kawah.

“Just because there is beef, one cannot assume that the Hindus attending the kenduri will eat the beef.

“Hindus in Malaysia will not eat beef as it is against their religious believes.

“So please do not assume that just because it is served on the table, one has eaten it, that cannot be accepted,” he said before starting his ministry’s winding up speech for Budget 2016 in Parliament on Thursday.

New photos surfaced recently purportedly showing consumed turtle eggs on Ismail Sabri and James’ plates at the event in Sandakan on Aug 29.

Earlier this month, photos of a plate of unconsumed turtle eggs on the table at the event went viral on social media.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera MP, had at the time denied consuming the eggs, adding that he only ate the fish served as he has to control his cholesterol level.