64 poachers nabbed so far this year following govt efforts to clamp down on wildlife trafficking, says Shamsul Anuar

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 64 poachers were nabbed since the beginning of this year following efforts to clampdown on wildlife trafficking, says Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.

"To further strengthen the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3) for the protection of national forest treasures, a total of 100 army veterans and 50 Orang Asli were appointed as wildlife rangers on contract service on June 16 this year.

"There have been some big successes this year involving 32 cases and 64 individuals, which resulted in seizures amounting to RM536,000.

"A total of 443 snares were also destroyed," he said when answering a question Dr Azman Ismail (PH-Kuala Kedah) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 21).

Dr Azman wanted to know what was the government's plan to ensure that the country would no longer be a transit centre or involved in wildlife trafficking after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shamsul said that Ops Benteng, which was implemented to prevent undocumented migrants from entering the country during the movement control order (MCO), would also be used to monitor borders for illegal wildlife trade.

He said this would involve officers from various agencies including the Armed Forces, police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

Besides this, he said that 30 Wildlife Department enforcement officers would also be stationed at 14 of the nation's entry points to prevent illegal wildlife trade.

He added that canine units will also be used to help sniff wildlife which are being smuggled through the airports and ports.

Poachers, Wildlife trade, Enforcement, Parliament, Shamsul Anuar Nasarah