Malaysia looking at making pangolins a completely protected species
‘Enough is enough’ says minister pushing for the move, although he admits putting a complete stop to the trade is impossible
By Kristy Inus
Malaysia’s Sabah Wildlife Department is looking at upgrading the status of Pangolin to a completely protected species.
The department is in the midst of preparing a paper on the matter to upgrade the status of the mammal to Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said he had ordered the department which falls under his ministry, to undertake the matter as soon as possible.
“They have always been planning to do this but now enough is enough. While it is impossible for a complete stop of pangolin or wildlife trade, what is important is that we send a strong message to all citizens on the need for all of us to work together in protecting them,” he said.
Masidi said this when asked about the recent case of an attempt to smuggle in RM103 million (US$24 million) worth of pangolin scales weighing 8,000 kilogrammes via Sepanggar Port.
In Sabah, Schedule 2 of the Enactment permits the hunting of the listed animals with a permit.