ID :
95318
Thu, 12/17/2009 - 03:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/95318
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIAN GOVT SHOULD SHARPEN LEGAL CLAWS TO PROTECT WILDLIFE
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- As the Year of the Tiger approaches, there
are impassioned calls to the government to sharpen its legal claws for greater
protection of wildlife.
Already, three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called for a
stronger
and more comprehensive wildlife law as their campaign to this effect, nears 18
months.
The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and WWF-Malaysia
want the tabling and adoption of amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972,
at the next session of Parliament.
In a joint statement Wednesday, they noted that the legislation which was
meant to protect wildlife against domestic threats like poaching, had failed to
be a deterrent.
Instead, the legislation continued to allow wildlife criminals to escape
justice, it said.
Nevertheless, the statement acknowledged that the government had addressed
part
of the problem, with the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008
coming into force in a week's time.
“This new law, which governs the import and export of wildlife, is timely.
However, Malaysia also needs a strong legislation to combat wildlife crime
that occurs inside the country.
"Therefore, amending the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 must be made a
priority, if our wildlife is to stand a chance,” MNS executive director Dr Loh
Chi Leong was quoted in the statement.
Meanwhile, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Acting Director Chris R. Shepherd said,
only powerful tools, such as strong legislation, would enable the authorities to
combat wildlife crimes effectively.
“The Year of the Tiger is approaching and the eyes of the world will soon be
upon us.
"Tabling amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 in Parliament, as
soon as possible, will send a strong signal to the public that Malaysia is
committed to improving protection of tigers and their prey,” said Dr
Dionysius Sharma, chief executive officer of WWF-Malaysia.
The three organisations urged the government not to delay the tabling of the
law any further and hoped that all parties would give it the support it sorely
needed.
-- BERNAMA
are impassioned calls to the government to sharpen its legal claws for greater
protection of wildlife.
Already, three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called for a
stronger
and more comprehensive wildlife law as their campaign to this effect, nears 18
months.
The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and WWF-Malaysia
want the tabling and adoption of amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972,
at the next session of Parliament.
In a joint statement Wednesday, they noted that the legislation which was
meant to protect wildlife against domestic threats like poaching, had failed to
be a deterrent.
Instead, the legislation continued to allow wildlife criminals to escape
justice, it said.
Nevertheless, the statement acknowledged that the government had addressed
part
of the problem, with the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008
coming into force in a week's time.
“This new law, which governs the import and export of wildlife, is timely.
However, Malaysia also needs a strong legislation to combat wildlife crime
that occurs inside the country.
"Therefore, amending the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 must be made a
priority, if our wildlife is to stand a chance,” MNS executive director Dr Loh
Chi Leong was quoted in the statement.
Meanwhile, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Acting Director Chris R. Shepherd said,
only powerful tools, such as strong legislation, would enable the authorities to
combat wildlife crimes effectively.
“The Year of the Tiger is approaching and the eyes of the world will soon be
upon us.
"Tabling amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 in Parliament, as
soon as possible, will send a strong signal to the public that Malaysia is
committed to improving protection of tigers and their prey,” said Dr
Dionysius Sharma, chief executive officer of WWF-Malaysia.
The three organisations urged the government not to delay the tabling of the
law any further and hoped that all parties would give it the support it sorely
needed.
-- BERNAMA
