MACC raids wildlife dept over ‘permit issue abuse’

September 25, 2010
By SEREAN LAU
The Star

PETALING JAYA: Anti-corruption officers raided the headquarters of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Cheras following allegations of abuse in the issuance of wildlife permits.

It was learnt that officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com­mission (MACC) went to the headquarters on Tuesday morning and carted away files, documents and laptops related to wildlife permits and licences to help in their investigations.

According to a source in the department, the MACC personnel asked for the office of a high-ranking officer in charge of the overall issuance and monitoring of wildlife permits and licences.

Although the officer, believed to be responsible for the support and recommendation in the approval of such permits was on leave, MACC personnel were allowed to enter the office.

It was believed that during the raid, several officers were also interviewed.

When contacted, a Perhilitan senior officer confirmed that MACC was at the headquarters to conduct an investigation but declined to elaborate.

He also refused to speculate if any wildlife permit issued to infamous wildlife trader Anson Wong or his family member had been revoked.

In confirming the incident, MACC investigations director Mustafar Ali insisted that it was merely “visit” and not a raid, but declined to comment further.

The headquarters is one of the three offices in the country - besides Penang and Johor branches - responsible for the issuance of wildlife permits.

There are three types of permits and licences for the handling of wild animals.

A licence is required to handle protected wildlife such as reticulated pythons and meerkats which fall under Schedule Two, Four and Five of the Protection of Wildlife Act while a special permit is necessary for totally protected species like Malayan tigers and Sumatran rhinoceros, and orang utan.

A Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) permit is required for all activities involving the import and export of wildlife listed under it such as snakes and turtles.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas had announced that the department would be undergoing a shake-up to weed out officers who were in cahoots with illegal wildlife traders.

The department had been dogged with allegations of corruption among its enforcement officers following Wong’s arrest at KL International Airport on Aug 26 for trying to smuggle out 95 boa constrictors, two rhinoceros vipers and a Mata Mata turtle without a permit while on transit from Penang to Jakarta, Indonesia.

The ministry, particularly Perhilitan, had been heavily criticised by conservation groups after Wong was sentenced on Sept 6 to six months’ jail and fined RM190,000 by the Sepang Sessions Court.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers is appealing against the sentence while a Penang National Park and Wildlife Department director was reportedly transferred to another state effective Oct 1.

Sand Thieves damaging environment

This will be another "talking-kok" publicity stunt.
"410 tip-offs" and only 43 nabbed?
"This illegal activity has been going on for years..." and what have they done to nab the problem?
Most of these illegal sand minings are from Barisan Najis states....and that could be the reason why it will merely be a once in a full-moon-stunt. When political masters intervene, all these stunts will end. Gua tak caya lagi....


Friday April 30, 2010
Hunt for culprits who have made billions and damaged environment
By LOURDES CHARLES
thestar

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is on a nationwide hunt for sand thieves who have not only raked in billions of ringgit but also caused massive damage to the environment.

It is learnt that MACC officers who went undercover have so far nabbed 43 suspects and several more are on their radar.

MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali said a special task force had unearthed the activities of several syndicates that had been “exporting” sand under the guise of silica to a neighbouring country.

“Exporting sand is illegal but not silica which is a component in sand used to make glass.

“Nineteen people have been charged so far and more will be taken to court once we obtain the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s consent,” he told The Star.

Mustafar said the MACC had received 410 tip-offs and reports on illegal sand mining and it was working closely with other relevant agencies.

He said in one state alone, it was estimated that 3,000 lorries were transporting sand illegally, involving a face value of about RM1.6mil daily.

In a month, the sand thieves would have amassed at least RM48.9mil, and RM587mil a year. This amount does not include sand smuggled in barges.

“This illegal activity has been going on for years and they are damaging the environment, flora and fauna as well as causing erosion,’’ Mustafar added.

Mustafar said MACC investigations revealed that bribes paid out to those in authority ranged between RM500 and RM88,000, with sexual favours also thrown in.

He said those caught before the MACC Act 2009 was enforced in 2009 could be jailed a minimum of 14 days and up to 20 years, and fined RM10,000 or five times the gratification amount, whichever is higher, or both.

Under the MACC Act, a person convicted of the offence could be jailed up to 20 years or fined five times the amount of gratification or both.

Mustafar appealed to the public who knew of such illegal activities to contact the authorities.

MACC uncovers illegal logging at Perak-Pahang border

"License issued on Oct 16, 2009 and expired on Jan 15, 2010".
Meaning the license was for only THREE months by the Barisan Najis government. Easily confirm that any logging should be the same logging company. Don't tell me these illegal loggers cannot be traced. I guess they need the under table money to pay for the frogs without thinking about our natural heritage. If you have seen the TV news, video of raiding party was shown. Somebody had actually tipped the illegal loggers when road was blocked by logs. Someone in the foresty must be on the take. Damned the corrupted! Hell to these traitors!


Sunday March 7, 2010
MACC uncovers illegal logging at Perak-Pahang border
Star

IPOH: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has uncovered illegal logging at a 100ha site near Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands at the Perak-Pahang border.

A MACC spokesman who declined to be named said the operation was conducted jointly with officers from Perak Forestry Department and Rela on Saturday.

The operation which began at 9am led to the discovery of hundreds of fallen trees worth millions and several pieces of heavy machinery.

“The culprits managed to escape after blocking the road with tree trunks and heavy machinery,” he added.

Initial investigation found that logging was still being carried out there although the licence issued on Oct 16, 2009 had expired on Jan 15, 2010.

The enforcement officers believed that more than 10 people were involved in illegal logging in the area.

He said this was based on the freshly cooked food found in a tent. -- Bernama

A Case of Pagar Makan Padi

August 29, 2009
MACC gets wildlife memos
By YENG AI CHUN
Star

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of animal rights activists has submitted documents to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to back their allegations against the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

The documents allegedly show Perhilitan deputy director-general Misliah Mohamad Basir endorsing the renewal of special permits for convicted wildlife trafficker Anson Wong.

The endorsement later led to the approval of the special permits by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.

Malaysian Animal Rights Society president N. Surendran said the documents were dated 1998 to 2003 and were correspondence between Misliah, who was the then Penang Perhilitan director-general, with the head office in Kuala Lumpur.

“During that time, Wong was in prison in the United States for wildlife smuggling. How can the permits be renewed for a man who is in jail for wildlife smuggling?” asked Surendran as he showed the letters bearing Misliah’s signature to reporters.

“We believe the special permits were used as a cover to facilitate wildlife smuggling all over the world. It is embarrassing that Malaysia is helping Wong with his smuggling activities.”

He showed reporters a letter dated March 24, 1998 in which the ministry approved Wong’s request to have a tiger shipped to Higashi Tsukuba Utopia Zoological Garden in Japan.

The group checked and could not find any information on the zoo, and yet Wong now had permits from Perhilitan to keep two tigers.

Surendran called on the ministry to abolish the special permits.

Pet Positive president and PJ councillor Anthony Siva Balan Thanasayan demanded that Misliah be sacked to restore confidence in Perhilitan.

On Aug 14, the group filed reports with the commission, urging it to probe allegations of Perhilitan’s link with Wong made by author Bryan Christy in his book The Lizard King.

On the same day, Misliah dismissed the group’s claims.

She said the signatures on the documents were forged and that Wong had complied with local laws and had the necessary licences.

The others who accompanied Surendran and Anthony were Malaysia Animal Welfare Society president Shenaaz Khan, SPCA Selangor chairman Christine Chin, Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva and two MPs – S. Manikavasagam (Kapar) and M. Manogaran (Teluk Intan).

* Pagar Makan Padi = Fence to protect instead destroy the paddy