Police propose joint committee against wildlife, forest crimes
Published on: Monday, November 18, 2019
By: Stefyanie Myla Micheal
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Police hope to set up a joint committee to deal with irresponsible individuals who benefit by killing and taking wildlife and plants.
“All the Officers in-Charge of Police Departments (OCPDs) have been ordered to create a committee comprising not only tiger platoons and police but also incorporating other stakeholders such as wildlife, agriculture, fisheries and forestry departments,” said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.
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Speaking at the closing of the 2019 Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) national sports month of Sabah Police Contingent (IPK), Sunday, he said PDRM will cooperate with those departments in tackling such issues after a fourth Pygmy elephant was found dead on Nov. 16.
“On Nov 16 at about 8.30am, the carcass of pygmy elephant was found by an individual who is a worker of Melangkin Oil Palm plantation nearby.
“It is believed that the pygmy elephant has been dead for several days and contacted the wildlife and forest department upon the discovery. At around 2.30pm the same day, wildlife department went to where the carcass was found and investigated,” he said.
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Omar said a physical examination on the pygmy elephant was carried out and there were no any signs of injuries.
“There is no injury due to shots or sharp objects and an organ sample was taken for further analysis,” he said.
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He added that the pygmy elephant may have died on Nov. 14 based on a Global Positioning System (GPS) that were placed on the elephants.
“From the GPS, it showed and tracked down the pygmy elephant’s last location which was on Nov 14 in the same area where it was found dead.
“For now, we will wait for the result from the samples taken to come out. PDRM will assist in the investigation and take over the investigation if there is a sign of the pygmy elephant being killed,” he said.
Omar said the tiger Platoon from the General Operations Force (PGA) in Sabah has been assigned to assist the relevant authorities in protecting wildlife in the State.
“This goes to both wildlife and wild plants, anyone caught illegally taking forest produce or wildlife will be subject to action,” he said.
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