(MY) new bill tabled

[Guest guest]

2007/12/06 - New Straits Times

 

Dewan Rakyat: New bill vows stiffer action for protected species trade

 

STIFF penalties and jail terms await persons convicted of trafficking

in protected flora and fauna once the International Trade in

Endangered Species Bill 2007 is enforced.

 

Individuals caught for offences under the bill run the risk of being

fined between RM100,000 and RM1 million, and corporations, between

RM200,000 and RM2 million. Jail sentences for the offences can go up

to seven years.

 

The bill tabled regulates the export, re-export and import of

endangered species through permits.

 

A similar arrangement has also been put in place for those breeding

protected species or those transporting it. A new authority is being

formed to handle matters related to the issuance of permits.

 

The International Trade in Endangered Species Bill 2007, tabled by

Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk S. Sothinathan

for its first reading yesterday, was in accordance with the Convention

on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

which Malaysia acceded in 1977.

 

 

 

The bill also seeks to make it an offence to produce animals bred in

captivity or artificially propagated plants or animals without the

approval of the relevant authorities.

 

Whistleblowers or informers would be rewarded for help in connection

with detection or seizures involving endangered species, the bill

stated.

 

The bill also proposed that informers be given protection.

 

The agency to be established to implement provisions in the act would

come under the purview of the Natural Resources and Environment

Ministry.

 

It would also serve as the lead scientific authority with regard to

the technical and scientific aspects involving endangered species.