KUCHING, Sept 8: A Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) enforcement team which was patrolling Pasar Tamu Kubah Ria yesterday (Sept 7) arrested two suspects found to possess 652 sea turtle eggs.
Both suspects were caught red-handed displaying the eggs for sale. They were subsequently brought to the police station for investigation and further action.
The first suspect, 65, was nabbed at 9.45am with 214 seaturtle eggs while the second suspect, 26, was caught in the afternoon around 3pm with 438 sea turtle eggs.
According to SFC in a statement, the penalty for anyone who hunts, kills, keeps, sells or consumes protected animals is a one-year imprisonment and fine of RM10,000; while in the case of sea turtles which are protected wildlife in Sarawak, the maximum fine is RM50,000 and five years’ jail.
SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said the state government has allocated RM70 million for them to deploy reef balls along the state’s shoreline to conserve and protect marine life, especially sea turtles.
“Other than that, we are also promoting sea turtle adoption and conservation programmes to the public as part of our efforts,” he disclosed.
“In a separate case, our enforcement officers from Kuching Regional Office seized 17 packs of wild boar meat at Market Bandar Riyal Kota Samarahan and detained a 62-year-old suspect,” he revealed.
According to the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, commercial sale of bearded pigs is strictly prohibited.
The seller can be fined up to RM5,000 while the buyer can be fined up to RM2,000. Those caught with more than five kilogrammes in their possession will be deemed having the intent to sell it. Thus, they can also be fined up to RM5,000.
Zolkipli added that SFC has relentlessly conducted operations throughout the state and has once again proven successful in the campaign against illegal wildlife trade.
“However, we will continue to address illegal wildlife trade and crime to protect and conserve flora and fauna in Sarawak. We are serious in combating and eradicating the illegal wildlife trade and its supply chain,” he said.
Members of the public with information on wildlife trade are encouraged to report to the authorities via the SFC hotlines in Kuching (019-8859996, 016-8565564), Sibu (013-8110150, 019-8883561), Bintulu (019-8223449, 019-8332737), or Miri (019-8224566, 019-8290994). — DayakDaily
