JOHOR BARU: A Singaporean's attempt to smuggle in a variety of parrots into the state, was foiled by the Wildlife and National Parks Department last month.
The suspect made his entry via the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar near here.
State Wildlife Department director Aminuddin Jamin said acting on a tip-off from the Customs Department, five officers were deployed to the scene on May 31, about 7.30pm.
Upon checking the man's Singapore-registered vehicle, the enforcement officers found 11 wild parrots of different species, consisting of four Ara Macaws, three Blue and Gold Macaws (Ara Ararauna), a Yellow-headed Amazon (Amazona Oratrix) and three Scarlet Macaws (Ara Macao).
Aminuddin said the large striking parrots with long tails, long narrow wings and vividly coloured plumage were illegally possessed.
"The wild parrots were kept in small boxes punched with tiny holes in the suspect's vehicle," he added.
Also found in the Singaporean's vehicle were 10 wooden boxes, bird feeds, a cage and mobile phones. The suspect was arrested and the items were seized.
The man pleaded guilty at the Johor Baru magistrate's court on June 7.
He was sentenced to a seven-day imprisonment term and an RM80,000 fine under Section 60 (1)(a) and Section 68 (1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act (Amendment) 2022 (Act A1646), for having controlled wildlife without a valid license.
The court also ruled that the parrots and items confiscated be forfeited and its ownership transferred to the Johor state Wildlife and National Parks Department. The decision to forfeit the man's vehicle will be made tomorrow.
Aminuddin urged the public to assist the department's commitment to preserve Malaysia's biodiversity and its fight against wildlife crimes.
He said illegal wildlife trade posed a serious threat to the environment and must be actively addressed to protect the country's natural heritage.
Those with any information on suspicious activities, are urged to lodge reports to Wildlife and National Parks Department's hotline at 1-800-88-5151 or via the e-complaint system on their website at www.wildlife.gov.my.