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Malaysia wields anti-terrorism laws to fight wildlife poaching

Perhilitan officers help move elephants to a safer place when there are elephant-human conflicts due to the opening of land for farming.
Perhilitan officers help move elephants to a safer place when there are elephant-human conflicts due to the opening of land for farming.PHOTO: FACEBOOK PAGE OF WILDLIFE AND NATIONAL PARKS DEPARTMENT, AKA PERHILITAN
Last year, at least 20 elephants were found dead in Sabah due to ivory-seeking hunters and villagers protecting their plantations.
Last year, at least 20 elephants were found dead in Sabah due to ivory-seeking hunters and villagers protecting their plantations.PHOTO: FACEBOOK PAGE OF WILDLIFE AND NATIONAL PARKS DEPARTMENT, AKA PERHILITAN
Weapons seized in a 2015 operation to prevent and combat wildlife and forest offences.
Weapons seized in a 2015 operation to prevent and combat wildlife and forest offences.PHOTO: BERNAMA
Arrested wildlife poachers, and the tools of their grisly trade.
Arrested wildlife poachers, and the tools of their grisly trade.PHOTO: FACEBOOK PAGE OF WILDLIFE AND NATIONAL PARKS DEPARTMENT, AKA PERHILITAN
Two white tigers, and two other tigers, drinking at a river in the Kota Tinggi area.
Two white tigers, and two other tigers, drinking at a river in the Kota Tinggi area.PHOTO: FACEBOOK OF JOHOR’S SULTAN IBRAHIM SULTAN ISKANDAR
Sun bears are sometimes treated as house pets.
Sun bears are sometimes treated as house pets.PHOTO: BORNEAN SUN BEAR CONSERVATION CENTRE
AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes (left) and Malaysian Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar in front of one of the airline’s planes sporting a “Save Our Malayan Tiger” livery.
AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes (left) and Malaysian Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar in front of one of the airline’s planes sporting a “Save Our Malayan Tiger” livery.PHOTO: AIRASIA
Published
Jan 21, 2020, 5:00 am SGT

Experts say poachers thriving because of lax laws and enforcement, plus Internet trading

Hazlin Hassan Malaysia Correspondent In Kuala Lumpu

Malaysia is stepping up the fight to protect its critically-endangered wildlife by using tough anti-terrorism and money-laundering laws against poachers.

The country's last Sumatran rhino died last November and there are fewer than 200 Malayan tigers left in the jungles.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 21, 2020, with the headline 'Malaysia wields anti-terrorism laws to fight wildlife poaching'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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