KOTA KINABALU, March 12 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) has arrested a man suspected of selling several protected wildlife parts at a stall at the Tamu Tenghilan market in Tuaran.
Its director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the 30-year-old man was detained during an enforcement operation carried out by the department’s Rapid Response Team at about 8.05 am today.
He said the action was taken following information from the Sabah Wildlife Department’s Intelligence Unit regarding the sale of wildlife parts in the area.
“Items seized included several parts believed to be from protected wildlife displayed for illegal sale, among them two sun bear claws, one part of a sun bear paw, one sun bear tooth, one pangolin scale, one barking deer antler and sixteen porcupine quills.
“The man was detained for further investigation under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 (EPHL 1997),” he said in a statement today.
Under the enactment, Mohd Soffian said any trade involving protected wildlife must obtain a valid licence or permit issued by the Sabah Wildlife Department.
However, he said no permit is issued by the department for the trade, possession or storage of sun bears and pangolins as both species fall under the Totally Protected category.
He said any individual found possessing, storing, selling or trading these species or any of their parts without authorisation commits an offence under the EPHL 1997.
If convicted, the accused may face a fine of not less than RM50,000 and not more than RM250,000, and imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than five years.
-- BERNAMA
