Wildlife poaching suspect detained in Keningau
KOTA KINABALU: Wildlife rangers of the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) have detained a suspected wildlife poacher in Keningau.
SWD director Augustine Tuuga said the 48-year-old rubber tapper from Ranau was arrested at 1am on Friday at the workers' quarters of a timber camp in Keningau.
The department lodged a police report at the Keningau district police station on the same day.
Tuuga said the suspect would be charged under Section 41(1) and 41(2) of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
“Acting on a public tip-off, our department in Keningau despatched five wildlife rangers to the suspect's quarters. They were assisted by the head of the Honorary Wildlife Warden Team and eight other honorary wardens. The team seized animal parts believed to be sun bear paws, animal skin suspected to have been taken from a bear, feathers from the Argus Pheasant and a tail from the civet cat,” he said, adding a motorcycle was also confiscated.
According to the director, an investigating officer from the department's headquarters was deployed to Keningau for further investigation into the case prior to court action.
“Upon conviction, a culprit is liable to a minimum fine of RM50,000 or maximum of RM250,000 and a minimum oneyear jail sentence, not exceeding five years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Christina Liew commended Tuuga and his staff for a job well done despite the difficulties and obstacles confronting them.
“Keep up the good effort. I hope more arrests of perpetrators will be made in the weeks or months ahead,” she said.