Len Talif speaks to reporters. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (April 11): Illegal activities involving wildlife in Sarawak are on a declining trend, reflecting the strengthened enforcement efforts by multiple agencies, said State Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
While authorities continue to detect and act on cases, including recent wildlife trade-related arrests in Kuching and Gunung Gading, he said overall incidents have decreased due to sustained enforcement visibility and coordinated operations.
“Just today, we have charged four or five individuals in cases involving Kuching and Gunung Gading related to wildlife trade. This is only a portion of the cases we have handled,” he noted.
He said these efforts involve close collaboration among agencies such as the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), the police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, covering both land and maritime jurisdictions.
Len noted that enforcement has been further strengthened through enhanced cooperation between federal and state governments, including the involvement of Community Rangers – many of whom are former military and police personnel.
“This joint effort provides additional mechanism to strengthen wildlife enforcement in Sarawak,” he said when met by reporters at the Community Rangers appointment ceremony and the launch of the “1000 Visits to Save Wildlife” programme, as well as the flag-off of Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK) at Kampung Semeba community hall here.
Beyond forest areas, enforcement activities have expanded to include markets where illegal wildlife products, particularly wild meat, are sold.
Authorities have identified the trade in wild meat as one of the most common forms of illegal wildlife activities in the state, he said.
“Species such as hornbills, along with valuable forest products like agarwood (gaharu), remain among the primary targets for illegal traders,” he said, underscoring the importance of continuous enforcement efforts alongside public awareness and education initiatives.