The Star, Malaysia : NGOs laud heavier penalties

Wednesday, August 07, 2002

NGOs laud heavier penalties

By SUSAN TAM

PETALING JAYA: Environmental non-governmental organisations laud the move to impose heavier penalties on smugglers and traders of protected wildlife but say fines are not severe enough to stop the illegal activity.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) scientific officer Stella Melkion said traffickers were not deterred as they could pay the fines with the huge profits made from their illegal trade.

“For example, python skins, tiger skins and its by-products fetch tens of thousands (of ringgit) when sold and these traders have no problems settling their fines in court,” she said yesterday.

She said the smugglers and traders of protected wildlife would continue with their activities after they settled their summonses.

Melkion also said many people were unaware of the importance of conserving protected species because there was not much information available.

She said MNS and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks were working together to distribute pamphlets on illegal wildlife trading to discourage people from buying animals or their by-products.

“These pamphlets will also be handed out at airports, ports and custom checkpoints for tourists to prevent them from purchasing animal products,’’ she added.

Traffic SEA country co-ordinator Noraini Awang Anak said fines should be increased to RM50,000 or RM60,000 instead of the current figures.

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia Animal and Species Conservation Senior Unit Head, Dr Dionysius Sharma, said the increase was a good move but the courts must also understand the importance of imposing heavier penalties on offenders.

“Legislators must understand that traders are abusing local and international laws on protected species and must not merely give offenders a slap on the wrist,” he said.

They were asked to comment on the proposal to impose heavier penalties on such offenders under the amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes a maximum jail term of 12 years and more than 100% increase in fines.

Currently, those caught in dealing with protected wildlife are fined between RM6,000 and RM10,000 while jail terms range from five to 10 years.

Dr Dionysius said the amendments should also account for minimum fines, as it would not deter offenders if only a RM500 fine was imposed.

“The heavier penalties should also be complemented with strict enforcement to monitor the movement of such illegal activities at the entry and exit points in the country.”