Rangers have been risking their lives facing gun-toting poachers, and authorities are now looking into the possibility of arming enforcement officers.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told The Star’s Hemananthani Sivanandam and Sim Leoi Leoi, that the government intends to intensify the fight against wildlife poaching.
“We have been given some firearms by the Home Ministry. If there is demand and requirements, I am willing to go and see Deputy Prime Minister (who is the Home Minister) to see how we can further arm our officers,” he was quoted as saying.
“Hunters go to the forest carrying guns but our people carry parang. If you have officers with a gun, they will have the upper hand. We need to look at things in perspective,” Wan Junaidi told The Star.
According to the report, a recent survey showed that rangers in 11 tiger range countries — including Malaysia — faced life-threatening situations from poachers.
Wan Junaidi was further quoted as saying that enforcement officers were in fact authorised to carry weapons on duty, as allowed under Section 8 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
It was also reported that the ministry wants to amend the Act, to allow offenders to be fined up to RM1mil and whipped.
At the moment, those found guilty of illegal hunting face a fine of up to RM500,000 and jail not more than five years.
