KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department is awaiting the green light from the deputy public prosecutor to pursue a case involving a Federal Minister who allegedly consumed turtle eggs in Sandakan last year.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the case report has been forwarded to the DPP.
“I am sure everyone knows who we are referring to. There must be permission and approval from the DPP (before the department can proceed further).
“I am here to remind everyone that we have not been keeping quiet. We meant what we said,” he said at the state assembly sitting, when tabling a bill to amend the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
The bill seeks to impose higher minimum and maximum penalties to deter individuals from hunting and possessing fully protected animals and plants as well as to include two new wildlife species as fully protected under the enactment.
Among the proposed amendments are to impose mandatory fine and jail penalties under Section 25 of the Enactment for hunting protected animals; Section 41 for possessing protected animals and animal parts; Section 53 for smuggling protected animals; Section 62 for possessing protected plants; Section 63 for smuggling protected plants; and Section 87 for collecting or possessing turtle eggs within traditional egg collection grounds.