KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — There is an urgent need for the formalisation and establishment of a wildlife crime unit within the Royal Malaysia Police force, in order to effectively combat poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking.
WWF-Malaysia in a statement yesterday said this unit could function to gather intelligence on poaching syndicates which are part of the larger illegal wildlife trade network and would ensure that legal action was followed through right from the evidence collection stage to the prosecution process.
In most reported cases, those who were prosecuted for hunting endangered species could have been working for foreign syndicates.
According to the statement, putting a stop to these syndicates should be made a priority, apart from penalising those who are guilty of committing wildlife crimes.
"WWF-Malaysia is confident that aside from the successful efforts of Ops Khazanah, the establishment of a wildlife crime unit would be an important step towards effectively stopping poaching and wildlife trafficking activities in the forests," it said.
Meanwhile, it said illegal wildlife trafficking is also on the rise and is the most immediate threat to wildlife in Malaysia.
"Cracking down on illegal wildlife trafficking doesn’t just protect species, it helps safeguard people’s well-being and lives. With fewer than 200 Malayan tigers left in the wild, protection of this species also must be prioritised," it added.
— Bernama
