Masidi wants evidence turtle eggs came from Sabah

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KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun wants the Terengganu Turtle Sanctuary Advisory Board (TTSAB) to furnish evidence that indeed the turtle eggs found sold at their markets came from Sabah.

Stressing that he has yet to receive any report on the matter, Masidi added that if the allegation was true, he would instruct the relevant authorities in the state to conduct a thorough investigation to shed some light into the issue.

“Turtles are protected species and any act to sell or export their eggs is an offence,” he said when contacted by the Borneo Post yesterday.

Commenting on TTSAB chairman Datuk Mazlan Ngah’s statement  denying that turtle eggs sold in their markets were collected locally, and instead disclosed that they came from East Malaysia and the Philippines, Masidi stressed it was important to get to the bottom of the issue soon.

“We must find out how the turtle eggs from Sabah end up in Terengganu. You are not even allowed to bring turtle eggs out from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu by air or any other way, because turtles are protected species.

“However, we will have to take this report with a pinch of salt as anyone can make such claims. It is important that they show us proof to back up their statement and explain how our turtle eggs end up in Terengganu. Obviously, this gives us a good opportunity to conduct investigations into the matter,” he said.

He added that if the claims were true, then investigation would be launched which would involve several relevant departments and agencies, including the Customs and the airports.

“If such protected items can slip out of the state, obviously, there is a breach of the enforcement somewhere,” said Masidi.

Mazlan stressed that the turtle eggs found sold in their markets came from Sabah, Sarawak and the Philippines.

He also said that he had not seen any Terengganu turtle eggs sold openly in the markets, and was also unaware if it was done secretly.

He added that licensed collectors in the state were only allowed to sell the eggs to the Fisheries Department for its hatcheries.