KOTA KINABALU: A total of 108 people were arrested in cases involving offences against natural heritage across Sabah during a month-long integrated multi-agency crackdown under Ops Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK).
Bukit Aman's Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said those arrested were 60 locals, 35 Filipinos and 13 Indonesians for various offences linked to biodiversity thefts among others during the operations that ended on July 16.
The 53 cases involved a total value of RM10.6mil, he told reporters after closing the Sabah Khazanah Integrated Op No. 2/2022 at Kinabalu Park in Kundasang about 80km from here Monday (July 25).
Comm Hazani said they had also issued fines amounting to RM76,000 for some of the offences.
He added that the police’s General Operations Force (GOF), Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Parks and WWF Malaysia seized nine weapons and 126 different types of ammunition.
Most offences come under the Sabah Parks Enactment 1948 with 43 arrests, Comm Hazani said.
This was followed by 18 arrests for offences under the Port and Wharf (Licence Small Vessels) Regulations Act 2008.
"Others involved offences under the Fisheries Act, the Firearms Act, the Police Act and the Marine Department Act," he added.
Under the state's Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, he said there were a total of 10 arrests but he did specify the nature of the cases involved.
Sabah Parks deputy director Ludi Apin, Sabah deputy police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun and Sabah and Labuan Maritime Department department deputy director First Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah were present at the ceremony.
Comm Hazani said the OBK operations will continue from time to time, targeting 13 areas on the land and sea across Sabah.
"OBK is an important operation to ensure our country's biodiversity is protected as national treasure," he said.
He said they will consider a proposal to set up OBK operations at district levels but it must be fully monitored by the state police.
"The Sabah police commissioner will be the overall commander of OBK operations for the state,” he said.
