PUTRAJAYA: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) recorded an estimated RM398.6mil in total seizures through Khazanah Integrated Operations (OBK) carried out from 2019 to 2025.
It said the figure included the destruction of 2,838 wildlife traps and 874 illegal campsites.
“Throughout the implementation period of OBK from 2019 to 2025, a total of 834 investigation papers were opened by Perhilitan,” it said.
OBK is a strategic government initiative to combat crimes related to forest encroachment, illegal logging, theft of national forest resources and wildlife poaching, Bernama reported.
The implementation of OBK is also in line with provisions under the Wildlife Conservation Act and related laws.
Citing examples of cases resolved by the department, it said that on April 4, a smuggling activity involving Vietnamese nationals was successfully thwarted, with the seizure of wildlife parts and organs, including those of tigers, bears, pythons and primates, estimated to be worth RM36.8mil.
“In addition, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation and the police also successfully foiled an attempt in January to smuggle 10 containers of rattan, worth RM2.5mil, which were believed to have been brought in from Kalimantan for export abroad,” Perhilitan said in a statement yesterday.
According to Perhilitan, all these successes were the result of high commitment and close cooperation among enforcement agencies.
This integrated approach is believed to have a significant impact and send a clear message that Malaysia will not compromise on any form of crime that threatens the nation’s natural heritage, it said.
“The Malaysian government takes a serious stance on illegal wildlife hunting and encroachment into protected areas, and strict legal action will be taken against any party involved in accordance with the applicable laws,” Perhilitan said.
