PDRM Plans To Recommend Mandatory Whipping For Wildlife Smugglers
They will also tighten the conditions for the issuance of firearms license and hunting permits.
By Selena Chua — 04 Sep 2019, 03:46 PM
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is planning to recommend mandatory whipping for criminals involved in the smuggling of wildlife
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador said he would recommend tougher penalties to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking in the country to the Legal Affairs Division, reported New Straits Times (NST).
He said this in a press conference for the opening of Op Bersepadu Khazanah in Bidor, Perak on Tuesday, 3 September.
'Op Bersepadu Khazanah' was launched to assist the Wildlife and National Parks Department in combatting wildlife crime in the jungle, air, and sea
The first phase of Op Bersepadu Khazanah will focus on the country's northern zone, including Ulu Muda, Bintang Hijau, Tasik Banding, Temenggor, Belum, and Bintang Hijau Belum.
Meanwhile, PDRM will also tighten the conditions for the issuance of firearms license and hunting permits in the country to protect wildlife, as there were locals among the illegal hunters who were caught, reported NST.
Since 2017, there have been 154 arrests for cases of exotic animals and flora, involving both locals and foreigners
According to Hamid, the total value of the seizures was over RM51 million.
Among the seized items were sea sand, timber, mangrove logs, orang utans, civets, white-rumped shama, and turtle shells.
