KUCHING, Feb 10: Community leaders in Kapit and Belaga have urged the state government to amend the Wildlife Ordinance 1998 and provide a clear guideline on the hunting of wild boar.
In a dialogue between the community leaders, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) lawmakers and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) recently, many felt that a raid by SFC enforcement officers against those selling wild boar meat at Kapit market was unjust.
PRS leaders and local community leaders believed the state government should provide a specific guideline on the hunting and selling of wild boar meat, especially on licensing matters and restriction of hunting areas.
“We are aware that wild boar is an endangered species in Sarawak and we need to protect it, but at the same time, the issue is sensitive among the Dayaks as some of them depend on wild boar’s meat as a form of livelihood by selling them.
“Besides, it has been the practices for some of the native people for generations. Therefore, there must be some form of consideration, which we can work out for the community by not depriving them of their livelihood and at the same time, the wildlife is protected,” Kapit walikota Lating Minggang told DayakDaily.
Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang said the state government should come up rules and regulations for the selling of wild boar meat.
He agreed that those selling wild boar meat should have permit and licence.
“The state government can come up with some guidelines which is more friendly towards the hunting of wild boar.
“Since the state government recognises the Pemakai Menoa and Pulau Galau, that should provide the Dayaks the hunting ground and those terms can be specified as within their boundary or territory domain,” he suggested.
Gira added that the state government can create more national parks to provide a habitat for wild boar to prevent it from extinction.
Meanwhile, Pemanca Tony Kulleh revealed that some of the timber camp workers and oil palm plantation workers have been hunting for wild boar in the jungles.
They are doing it without the knowledge of the authority and yet they are not caught, he opined.
Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said issue of hunting and selling of wild boar meat should be dealt appropriately so that it will not become a propaganda by the opposition to gain votes.
He pointed out that the issue was not associated with the politicians from PRS or any component party of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), as alleged by certain quarters.
He said the state government should provide more awareness and outreach programme to educate the native and rural people about the protection of wild boar as an endangered species.
Among those present at the briefing included PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chuk Pai Ugon and Pemanca Umek Jeno. — DayakDaily
