SANDAKAN: The Sandakan 15th Battalion General Operations Force (GOF) will carry out integrated operations, dubbed “Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah”, Statewide on Nov 15, in its efforts to protect flora and fauna, as well as eradicate poaching activities.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Deputy Director (GOF), Datuk Mastor Mohd Ariff, said the GOF will enter designated hotspots that have been identified by the Sabah Forestry Department, State Wildlife Department and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in preserving the environment in the country.
“I am confident we will accomplish the mission (to nab illegal poachers) as we have seen success in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We do not ‘invite’ any poachers to come and take our flora or hunt our fauna. This is an action that threatens the natural resources of the future generation,” he told reporters after a working visit to the 20th Beluran GOF Battalion Headquarters, here, Wednesday. On Nov 4, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the Tiger Platoon of the Sabah GOF was given the task as the police frontline to help the authorities protect the wildlife and flora in the State.
The announcement was made following one more elephant carcass found in Sungai Kinabatangan on Nov 3. It was the third find after an elephant carcass was found near Tawau on Sept 25 and another at an oil palm plantation in Beluran, Sandakan on Oct 19.
Meanwhile, Mastor also hoped the law on poaching activities in Sabah could be amended to increase fines and severe sentencing for the perpetrators.
“I find the punishments in Sabah are quite lenient, different from Peninsular Malaysia.
“If possible, if we can impose stern penalties in the State, I think we can control illegal invaders from destroying or selling this flora and fauna,” he stressed.
Cases related to illegal poaching in Sabah is an offence under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, which carries a fine of RM50,000 or five years’ imprisonment, or both, on conviction.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the Sabah Government appreciates the initiative of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) through the GOF in helping to eradicate crimes involving wildlife in the State, which was becoming increasingly rampant.
He said the co-operation from the police was very important to ensure enforcement could be strengthened to simultaneously curb the crimes against wildlife more effectively.
He said the agency entrusted in monitoring wildlife in Sabah was facing manpower constraints especially in the aspect of enforcement and aid from other quarters was much needed so that an efficient monitoring could be implemented.
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