KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) will take appropriate action if its staff and settlers are found guilty of killing an elephant in Sabah.
On September 25, 2019, a pygmy elephant carcass was found riddled with about 70 bullet wounds at Sungai Udin close to an oil palm plantation.
Tawau district police chief Asst Comm Peter Umbuas had reportedly said the authorities have recovered the tusks that were sawn off the elephant.
Since October 2, 2019 the police arrested six suspects in the Felda Umas 4 area of Kalabakan in Sabah's south-western Tawau district.
One is a worker in the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) estate, while two others were hired to guard a plantation from elephant intrusions.
All six suspects are being investigated under Section 25(1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for hunting a protected animal illegally. If convicted they could be sentenced to five years in jail and fined RM250,000.
Aside from that, police are also investigating them for possession of an illegal weapon under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960 and the sole foreigner is being investigated for not having valid travel or work documents.
In a statement today, Felda confirmed one staff and two settlers were detained by the police. "They are now assisting the police with the ongoing investigation."
“Felda's management will not compromised on any kind of cruelty to animals and will take appropriate action if staff and settlers are found guilty of killing the elephant.
Felda said the killing of animals contravenes Felda's Environmental Protection and Protection Policy and that of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification.
Felda's standard operating procedure, in keeping away wildlife from agricultural land, include the use of electric fences, trenches and close co-operation with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (or Perhilitan) to relocate wildlife without hurting or endangering their lives.
Felda partners Perhilitan to execute regular training to its staff in addressing wildlife threats and accidental trespass into their estate.
Felda said its staff comply with environmental guidelines and are committed to ensuring their estates are managed sustainably.
"Todate, 163 of our estates are MSPO-certified, reflecting good agricultural practices that incorporates environmental and wildlife protection," Felda said.