KUCHING, Jan 18: Two men have been arrested for illegal possession of 740 Burung Murai Kampung or magpie-robins.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) said a 52-year-old man from Mukah and a 46-year-old man from Samarahan were arrested for possession of protected species bird without a permit near Mile 12 of Kuching/Serian road this morning.
During the operation, the SFC enforcement team and 11th PGA Batallion squad managed to seize 740 oriental magpie-robins (Murai Kampung), which were kept in 37 baskets.
Acting on a public tip-off, this operation which was code named Ops Khazanah, inspected and detained the express bus that was travelled from Selangau to Kuching.
“Those birds are classified as protected species under Wild Life Protection Ordinance (WLPO), 1998.
“Any person who hunts, kills, captures, sells, offers for sale or claims to be offering for sale, imports, exports, or is in possession of any protected animal or any recognizable part without a license issued by the Controller shall be guilty,” said SFC in a statement today.
Both men were charged and investigated under section 37(1)(c) of the ordinance. If found guilty the offenders could be punished maximum up to RM10,000 fine and one year imprisonment.
Members of the public who have information on illegal activities are encouraged to report through SFC hotlines – Kuching (019-8859996), Sibu (019-8883561), Bintulu (019-8332737), Miri (019-8290994). — DayakDaily
