WWF-MALAYSIA SEEKS FEDERAL LAWS FOR TURTLE CONSERVATION

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), Jan 22 (Bernama) -- WWF-Malaysia is to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in April on the need to enact comprehensive federal laws for the conservation of turtles.

Its executive director, Datuk Dr Dionysius S. K. Sharma, said the enactment
of federal legislation required an amendment to the Federal Constitution
because, under the Federal Constitution, only the states had the authority to
make laws on turtles.

"As we (Malaysia) are still one of the top countries in the world for the
leatherback turtles to nest, it is time for the government to make the changes
before the situation worsens and turtles become extinct in Malaysia," he told
reporters after launching the "Egg=Life" Advocacy Campaign for Turtles here
Thursday.

He said Peninsular Malaysia had been the nesting ground of green turtles,
especially in Terengganu. However, their nesting population had declined by more
than 80 per cent since the 1950s, primarily due to the collection of eggs for
human consumption.

Thus, the development of comprehensive and holistic laws, coupled with
strict enforcement and adequate resources to implement such laws, were directly
and urgently needed, he said.

-- BERNAMA