KUALA LUMPUR: Those involved in illicit wildlife trade will be dealt with stiffer punishment under an amended Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the amendments would cover a wider area of enforcement, including penalising those consuming protected species and increasing the penalties for crime against wildlife.
He said the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) recorded 23 cases of poaching out of 2,774 cases of wildlife crime between 2011 and August this year.
He said many wildlife poachers had evaded arrest, leading to the small number of those penalised.
Wan Junaidi said hundreds of cases could have escaped the radar, as poachers changed their modus operandi and remained a few steps ahead of the authorities.
The amendment, he said, would allow the authorities to act against those involved in wildlife crime, adding that wildlife meat on sale at restaurants was among the top issues to be addressed.
“There are weaknesses in the law and I’m discussing with the ministry’s legal advisers on finding ways to plug loopholes in the legislation so that we can get to the root of the problem and make sure all offenders are brought to justice.
“I have instructed Perhilitan to come up with papers detailing its recommendations and plans to better address the problem, including punishments and fines, before they are presented to the cabinet.
“Severe punishment will be imposed on those who commit wildlife crime, which is a lucrative business. This will include criminalising the dealing, smuggling, importing, transporting, exporting, eating, cooking, serving and processing of the meat and body parts of protected wildlife,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Wan Junaidi said existing penalties were mild and there were certain areas in the law that did not cover what seemed to be offences.
“There is a huge market for wild animals and related products, which will lead to extinction. The ministry is responsible for protecting wildlife and we will be at the forefront to stop poaching.
“These smugglers are making millions. A fine of RM20,000, for example, is not a big deal to them.”
Currently, those involved in poaching and other wildlife crimes face a penalty of up to RM500,000 and a jail term of not more than five years.
On the increase in sale of wildlife meat via the Internet, Wan Junaidi said he would discuss the matter with the police.
He said there were challenges and constraints in curbing wildlife crime, including inadequate enforcement officers at the country’s entry points.
Wan Junaidi said Perhilitan had beefed up its wildlife crime unit to strengthen enforcement.
He said an intelligence unit was formed to enhance networking and intelligence gathering.
Wan Junaidi said the ministry, along with the police, Armed Forces, Customs Department, Interpol and the Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network, would enforce and facilitate investigations and intelligence-sharing to combat wildlife smuggling.
“Wildlife is part of our biodiversity.
“It is our responsibility to protect and conserve them for future generations.”
Meanwhile, Sabah Wildlife director William Baya said the state government had increased areas under its totally protected area category where hunting was banned.
Baya said there were 20 enforcement officers assigned to monitor illegal wildlife trade activities by checking markets, restaurants and roadside stalls in the state.
The NST yesterday reported an increase in wildlife being sourced from within the country for the international exotic cuisine market.
Wildlife trade monitoring network, Traffic, said the trend was worrying as those behind the illicit trade were aggressive in meeting the increasing demand.
It warned that failure to rein in culprits could spell the end of many endangered species.