Conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) is demanding that the heaviest penalties be imposed on those who had killed a Malayan tiger.
WWF-Malaysia senior conservation director Henry Chan expressed outrage that despite the immense effort and sacrifice put into protecting the Malayan tiger, poachers continued to hunt down the animal for temporary gain.
His statement follows the arrest of three men after the carcass of a Malayan tiger was found in a car at Felda Tenggaroh, Mersing.
“Crimes like these are an insult to our nation and must be punished with the full weight of the law, swift and uncompromising,” he said.
He cited Section 71 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2022, which imposes a fine of up to RM1 million and imprisonment of up to 15 years for trafficking wildlife.
“However, laws are only as strong as their enforcement. We urge the authorities to fully apply these penalties, to send an unmistakable message that Malaysia will not tolerate the slaughter of its national icon,” he said.
Chan also lauded Bukit Aman as well as the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan) for the swift action in arresting the suspects and the public for tipping off the police.
He said WWF-Malaysia was ready to work with government agencies to end wildlife crime once and for all.
The Bukit Aman federal reserve unit yesterday said the discovery of the tiger’s carcass was a result of a joint operation with Johor Perhilitan, and based on a tip-off.
Police said the tiger had sustained severe injuries, believed to be from a trap. It also had six gunshot wounds to the head.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 49, have been remanded to assist in the investigation.
