By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Dec 6: Tiger Platoon, a special police unit under the General Operations Force (GOF), will help protect and take the necessary action against anyone trying to steal Sarawak’s heritage such as its flora and fauna.
Sarawak police chief Datuk Ramli Din said the Tiger platoon has been tasked to protect the wildlife in Sarawak, as well as its forest environment.
“The Tiger Platoon is up and running. Our General Operations Force will help to monitor our heritage to look after our flora and fauna. We will take the necessary actions if there are people trying to smuggle our flora and fauna.
“Currently, we don’t have the record (smuggling activities and poaching of wildlife) but we are taking actions against smugglers,” Ramli told reporters after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
The police has deployed the Tiger platoon in Sabah to protect its wildlife, especially its wild elephant, where there have been numerous incidents of their brutal killings.
Similarly in Sarawak, there has been reported cases of hunters who poached exotic wildlife due to high demand in the black market.
On other matters, Ramli said the police will assist other government agencies during floods.
“We are involved with other government agencies to assist during floods and also involved in the planning and monitoring the operations room,” he added. — DayakDaily
