Presented by: Rt Hon. Tan Sri Richard Malanjum Chief Judge of Sabah & Sarawak

Malaysia is ranked 12 th in terms of biodiversity richness. Malaysia’s forested area covers more than half of its total land area or about 60% or mil. ha Malaysia is a tropical country that houses various types of ecosystems and biodiversity: i.forests biodiversity; ii.mountain biodiversity; iii.inland waters biodiversity; iv. marine and coastal biodiversity; and v.agricultural biodiversity.

Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM); Forestry Department Sabah; Forest Department of Sarawak; Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM); Department of Wildlife and National Park; Department of Marine Parks Malaysia; Sabah Biodiversity Centre; Sarawak Biodiversity Centre.

National Forestry Policy 1978 (Revised 1992) National Policy on Biological Diversity 1998 Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 CITES Act, 2008 Biosafety Act,2007 National Forestry Act 1984 Sabah Forestry Enactment Forests Ordinance Sarawak

OrganismsTotal No. of Species Mammals306 Birds742 Reptiles567 Amphibians242 Marine fishes4,000 Freshwater fishes449 Invertebrates>150,000 Seed plants15,000 Fern and fern allies2,012 Fungi4,000 Mosses400

Land use changes especially for agriculture, housing demand and plantation; Unsustainable development projects; Natural disaster (tsunami and forest fire); Theft of native plants such as wild and rare orchids by foreigners; and Poaching and illegal wildlife trade (by local and foreigners).

15 strategies and 87 actions (NPBD 1998): i. Conservation and sustainable use; and ii.Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from utilization of biodiversity. NPBD 1998 is now being updated due to the global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity To transform Malaysia into a world centre of excellence in conservation, research and utilization of tropical biological diversity in the year To conserve Malaysia’s biological diversity and to ensure that its components are utilised in a sustainable manner for the continued progress and socio-economic development of the nation.

The 26 Million Tree Planting; Tree Planting Programme along coastlines area; Centre Forest Spine; Heart of Borneo; Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI); National Tiger Conservation Action Plan (NTCAP); Providing sanctuaries for endangered animals; and Facilitating the continuation of habitats of animals such as the elephant corridors in Sabah

Convention on biological diversity (CBD); RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands; Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC); and United Nations Forum on Forest (UNFF)

1. Malaysia is known as a wildlife smuggling hub and transit point 2. Lack of skills and expertise in species identification 3. Communication between enforcement agencies 4. Investigation and prosecution 5. Power to compound offences 12

13 Malaysia a Hub For Wildlife Smuggling

14 Madagascar Tortoise Grey Parrot Wildlife Smuggling Species For Pets

15 Collection/ “luxury item” Made from Ivory Wildlife Smuggling Items

16  Exotic food Frozen Pangolins Wildlife Smuggling Species

17 22 Nov – Seizure in Thailand of 50 rare pangolins from Malaysia en route to China, via Laos 17 Nov – Seizure in Malaysia of approx. 700 protected animals (monitor lizards, snakes, tortoises) Source: UNODC Wildlife Trafficking In Southeast Asia

TIGER: ORIGIN: Sumatra Cambodia TRANSIT: Malaysia Thailand Laos Vietnam DESTINATION: Primarily China Via land / sea Via air Source: TRAFFIC Wildlife Trafficking

PANGOLINS ORIGIN : Indonesia Malaysia Cambodia TRANSIT : Singapore Kuala Lumpur Bangkok Hanoi Penang DESTINATION : Domestic International - China Via land / sea Via air Source: TRAFFIC Wildlife Trafficking

From Borneo Frozen/Wild pangolin, turtle, monitor lizard and snake : ORIGIN : Malaysia Borneo Sumatra TRANSIT: Penang Kuala Lumpur Johor DESTINATION : Primarily China Via land / sea Via sea Via air From Philippines Source: TRAFFIC Wildlife Trafficking

PARROT/OTHER EXOTIC BIRDS: ORIGIN : Sumatra/Medan Papua Irian EXIT: Belawan and Tanjung Balai in Medan, Kuala Tungkal in Jambi, Batam and Riau. ENTRANCE: Penang, Malacca, Johor Johor From Palembang /Papua / Irian Via land / sea Via sea Source: TRAFFIC Wildlife Trafficking

BULBUL/OTHER BIRDS: ORIGIN : Thailand Malaysia DESTINATION : Malaysia Indonesia Johor Via land Via sea Wildlife Trafficking

TURTLES/TORTOISE ORIGIN: Indonesia Czech Republic India Madagascar Zambia and Chennai TRANSIT/ DESTINATION : SE Asia Japan China / Hong Kong Malaysia Source: TRAFFIC Wildlife Trafficking

24 Wildlife SpecimenEstimation (USD) Rhino Horn97,000 / kg Bear Bile250,000 / kg Tiger (Live)50,000/ head Tiger (Skin)35,000/ pieces Tiger (Skin)2,000/ kg Ivory1,300 / pound Elephant28,000/ head Orang-utan45,000/ head Pangolins1,000/ head Source: Havocscope (Global Black Market Information)

25 Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)

26 Seizure 7,093 head of Monitor lizards (Varanus bengalensis)

27 Smuggling birds using PVC

28 Seizure of Tiger, Tiger Part and Ivory

29 Number of Cases Recorded [Act 76 (Before 2011), Act 716 and Act 686]

The law impose severe punishment in curbing the illegal wildlife trade. Examples of Section 65 and Section 71 have been introduced under the Act 716 that imposes both fines and mandatory jail Section 65: Any person who imports, exports or re-exports any protected wildlife or any part or derivative of a protected wildlife without a licence commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of NOT LESS THAN RM20,000 and NOT MORE THAN RM50,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year Section 71: Any person who imports, exports or re-exports any totally protected wildlife or any part or derivative of a totally protected wildlife without a special permit commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of NOT LESS THAN RM30,000 and NOT MORE THAN RM100,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years 30

In the years , the DWNP has taken action on 764 cases, whereby a total of 99 cases have been prosecuted in court. Acknowledging the seriousness of the illegal wildlife trade, the court fines and jail term have since increase. Sentences such as imprisonment from 6 months to a year and fine between RM to RM 100, have been delivered by the court. With the enforcement of the new law the scope and jurisdiction of the DWNP also include, animal welfare and cruelty, zoos and wildlife exhibitions. The enforcement of the Act 716 is a critical step towards reducing species loss and managing our biodiversity holistically while being guided by the National Policy on Biological Diversity In supporting the Government’s effort in bringing a major shift in transforming enforcement agencies to be more resilient, dynamic, proactive and transparent, the Enforcement Division of the DWNP is revamped beginning September 2012 where new officers are being assigned to the enforcement division. 31 Curbing The Illegal Wildlife Trade

The DWNP enhance the Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) flying squad for additional regional enforcement activities to further strengthen enforcement activities. A new Intelligence Unit is formed to enhance networking and intelligence gathering in curbing crimes related to wildlife The DWNP has established the Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank (WGRB) in 2007 to provide forensic evidence for court cases involving wildlife 32

33 Strengthening through roadshows and capacity building programs to stakeholders on the enforcement of Act 686 and Act 716. Enhance public awareness through promotions and dissemination of brochures/ handbook on CITES and Act 686 especially to passengers at international airport. Coordinate joint enforcement operations regularly with related agencies. Conduct research and study on the species labeling method especially on the tagging method of wildlife to prevent falsification on trade documents.

34 Strengthen the enforcement linkages and network to combat illegal trade of wildlife. Continue the cooperation with other countries especially with the neighboring countries. (i.e. Bilateral Meetings with Thailand) Law enforcement through continuous education and awareness to the public.On going trainings to enforcement officers, prosecutors, scientists and policy makers. Continuously conduct research regarding impact on trade of endangered species and ex-situ conservation of endangered species

Thank you 35