Anson Wong - culmination of chronic failures in prosecution and investigation

Friday February 24, 2012 MYT 1:37:00 PM
Jail term cut for wildlife trader Anson Wong condemned
By ISABELLE LAI
Star

PETALING JAYA: Wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic has condemned the decision to allow convicted wildlife trader Anson Wong to walk free, calling it a “culmination of chronic failures in prosecution and investigation”.

Its South-east Asia regional director Dr William Schaedla said the prosecution had failed to produce any new charges or evidence in the past year and a half despite claming further investigations were part of its strategy.

He pointed out that Wong's laptop and mobile phones, confiscated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), should have provided the prosecution insight into his international wildlife trade dealings.

“There is no indication that Wong's business contacts or associations were ever investigated,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Wong, who was convicted on Sept 6 last year of illegally exporting boa constrictors by the Sepang Sessions Court, was initially sentenced to six months jail and fined RM190,000.

Heated protests by non-governmental organisations and the public resulted in the High Court's decision to extend his jail term to five years.

However, the Court of Appeal through a three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Wira Low Hop Bing, agreed on Wednesday to reduce Wong's jail term from five years to 17 months and 15 days.

Dr Schaedla also refuted Justice Low's statement that Wong, 54, was a first-time offender, pointing out that he was previously sentenced to 71 months jail and fined US$60,000 (RM180,629) for money laundering linked to wildlife trade in the United States.

“It beggars belief that no effort was made to introduce these prior infractions in the context of the present case,” he said, adding that Wong was also reported compounded for a previous permit violation here.

Dr Schaedla said it now fell to the the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to ensure Wong's licenses remain revoked so he would be unable to trade in any wildlife.

He said Malaysia's push for better laws and enforcement were useless if these were how wildlife cases were treated and warned that this would have long-term impact on the fight against wildlife crime.

“Traffickers will simply work small fines and short jail stays into their calculations as a cost of business. Frontline authorities who put their lives at risk catching these criminals will be defeated in their efforts,” he said.

Tokay gecko under threat due to heavy demand, says group

November 20, 2011
Star

PETALING JAYA: Wildlife trade watchdog TRAFFIC has called for the protection of the to'keh (or tokay) gecko, following a sharp boom in illegal smuggling of the lizard in South-East Asia for medicinal purposes.

TRAFFIC Southeast Asia said the demand for the geckos skyrocketed recently, following unfounded claims on Asian websites and blogs that consuming tokay gecko tongue and internal organs could cure HIV and cancer.

“We are alarmed by the massive increase in trade of these geckos,” said TRAFFIC Southeast Asia deputy director Chris R. Shepherd in a statement here.

“If the trade continues to mushroom, it could take years to repair the damage currently being inflicted on the gecko population,” he said, adding that it was urgent to protect these reptiles under CITES the international convention on endangered species.

The tokay gecko is a nocturnal Asian lizard growing up to 40cm in length and easily identified by its orange-spotted, blue-grey skin and the loud sound it makes.

TRAFFIC said the geckos are being sourced from South-East Asian countries, like the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, to meet demand in China.

It said Indonesia exports an estimated 1.2 million dried tokay geckos from Java each year, exceeding the official export quota of 45,000 live animals for the pet trade.

NGOs: Enact wildlife laws quickly

Dec 17, 2009
Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: As the Year of the Tiger approaches, impassioned calls are being made 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.

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and WWFMalaysia want the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 to be amended at the next Parliament session.

In a joint statement yesterday they noted that the legislation, 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 coming into force of the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 in a week’s time.

“However, Malaysia also needs a strong legislation to combat wildlife crimes that occur inside the country.

“Amending the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 must be made a priority if our wildlife is to stand a chance,” said MNS executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong in the statement.

Meanwhile, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia acting director Chris R. Shepherd said only powerful tools such as strong legislation could enable the authorities to combat wildlife crimes effectively.

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

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Calls for tougher wildlife law
Alyaa Alhadjri
Sun2surf

PETALING JAYA (Dec 16, 2009): Wildlife organisations have called for the amendments to the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972 to be passed at the next meeting of Parliament to ensure tougher measures to combat wildlife crimes in the country.

The campaign, led by Malaysian Nature Society, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and WWF-Malaysia, has received the support of 56,062 people from 161 countries.

Current legislation is considered inadequate for defending wildlife against domestic threats like poaching, and wildlife criminals continue to escape justice.

Part of the problem is being addressed with the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 which will come 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," MNS executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong said.

"Therefore, amending the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972 (Act 76) must be made a priority if our wildlife is to stand a chance," said Loh.

TRAFFIC Southeast Asia acting director Chris R, Shepherd said only with strong legislation will authorities be able to effectively combat wildlife crimes.