KUCHING, Oct 16 — Around 30,000 turtle eggs have been seized in Sarawak so far this year — a worrying increase in cross-border wildlife trafficking, said Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) deputy general manager Japanie Bujang.
He said most of the smuggling attempts were detected along the Serikin and Telok Melano borders and other entry points adjacent to Indonesia.
“For this year alone, we have seized around 30,000 turtle eggs, slightly higher compared to last year. Most of the cases we detected were around Serikin, Telok Melano, and other border zones near Indonesia.
“The majority of the turtle eggs seized were smuggled in from Indonesia into Sarawak. Seven court cases related to turtle egg smuggling have been filed so far this year,” he told a press conference after the Royal Malaysian Customs Department meeting at Roxy Beach Resort Sematan today.
The press conference was led by Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin, who said the meeting marked the 18th edition of Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK) — a joint enforcement platform uniting Customs, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), SFC, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, and other strategic partners including Aviation Security (AVSEC) under Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).
“The objective is to combat the threat of smuggling of endangered and protected flora and fauna under various legislations enforced in this country,” she said, noting that OBK has become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s intelligence-led enforcement efforts tied to biodiversity conservation.
Between April and September this year, OBK operations were conducted at air, land and sea entry points targeting wildlife trafficking and the illegal tropical timber trade.
Among the notable successes was the seizure of two lutungs and two siamangs at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on July 27 through a joint operation by the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and AVSEC.
The specimens were handed over to Perhilitan for further action.
Other major interceptions included cases involving gibbons and cuscuses at air entry points in late September, with offenders charged under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).
Nationally, from April to September 2025, enforcement agencies recorded 444 arrests and seizures under OBK, with Selangor identified as the main hotspot, followed by Johor and KLIA.
The highest number of cases were prosecuted under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (158 cases), followed by the Customs Act 1967 (137 cases) and the National Forestry Act 1984 (41 cases). The total seizure value was estimated at RM204.43 million.
Wildlife seizures largely involved birds, mammals and reptiles, while forest-related offences — particularly involving agarwood — accounted for the highest seizure value at RM134.02 million.
“This situation reflects the high market demand for exotic and commercially valuable species.
“Current trends also show that syndicates have shifted their strategy from large-scale shipments to smaller, repeated consignments using passenger baggage, courier services, and commercial outlets,” said Anis.
She added that KLIA remains a major hub for wildlife smuggling, while Sarawak has seen a significant rise in cases involving turtle eggs, tortoises and reptiles via both land and maritime routes.
“In Kuching, the Sessions Court in July and August handed down prison sentences ranging from four to eight months, and fines of up to RM55,000, against local and foreign offenders for smuggling turtle eggs and live tortoises.
“These cases were handled by the SFC with assistance from PDRM,” she said. — The Borneo Post
