The Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) successfully foiled a daring attempt to smuggle wild birds from Singapore into Malaysia via a car crossing the Causeway. According to Mr. Aminuddin Jamin, the director of Perhilitan, the department received a tip-off from the Customs Department on May 31, leading to the confiscation of 11 birds.
A team of five Perhilitan officers conducted an inspection of a Singaporean-owned multi-purpose vehicle at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex in the Sultan Iskandar Building. Their examination revealed the presence of four figs, three blue and golden macaws, a yellow-headed amazon, and three red macaws on the passenger seat, as stated by Mr. Jamin in a statement released on June 21.
Malaysia has unfortunately gained notoriety as a popular destination and transit point for illegal wildlife trade, particularly involving wild birds. In response, local enforcement agencies have intensified their inspections, resulting in the confiscation of numerous wildlife goods.
The Johor Perhilitan enforcement officers not only seized the vehicle but also discovered additional items within it. These included ten wooden boxes, bird cages, mobile phones, and a perching bird. Subsequent investigations on the 47-year-old driver revealed that he lacked valid documentation for the birds, leading to his detention by the police following a report.
The man faced charges in the Sessions Court on June 7, where he pleaded guilty to offenses under Section 60 (1)(a) and Section 68 (1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 (or Act A1646). Consequently, the court imposed a seven-day imprisonment sentence from the date of arrest and a fine of RM80,000 (S$23,000). Perhilitan also seized all the confiscated items.
Mr. Aminuddin emphasized the commitment of the Johor Perhilitan in safeguarding the country's biodiversity and combating wildlife crime. He urged the public to report any relevant information through the Perhilitan hotline or by making e-complaints on the official website, www.wildlife.gov.my.
The seizure of protected wildlife is a common occurrence at various entry points in Malaysia, including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Penang International Airport, and land border crossings in Johor. As a result, Malaysia has found itself among the top 10 smuggling hubs in the region, alongside countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
It is crucial to note that hunting or keeping protected wildlife is a punishable offense under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) in Malaysia. Section 60 of the Act stipulates that individuals found guilty of keeping or owning wildlife without a license may face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Furthermore, those caught hunting protected wildlife without a special permit can be charged under Section 68, which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years, or both, upon conviction.
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