Turtle eggs are being sold openly along Jalan Pryor in Sandakan and the lack of enforcement seems to allow the illegal trade to prevail.
Jamilah, a teacher in the east coast district in Sabah, said turtle egg sellers could be easily spotted by the side of the road looking for customers.
“I know there are occasional raids by the authorities, but there doesn’t seem to be a lasting solution to this problem,” she said.
“The authorities need to come up with something concrete because, otherwise, this problem will start to get out of hand.”
She lamented the lack of concern by the relevant authorities and hoped that a more permanent solution could be put in place.
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A Sandakan Municipal Council spokesman said regular patrols were being conducted, but admitted that they do get complaints of turtle egg sellers operating in the area.
“Most of those who sell turtle eggs are Filipinos and if we do act, it will be for conducting business without a valid permit on the streets.
“Catching them in the act, however, is not easy because they don’t carry the turtle eggs with them and would stash them elsewhere.
“They would show the ‘O’ sign to potential buyers and approach them discreetly,” he said, adding that the council would continue monitoring the street.
Turtle eggs were sold between RM1.50 and RM2 in the area, and buyers were mainly from outside of the district, he added.
Members of the public with information can contact the council at www.mps.sabah.gov.my or call 089-279400.
A Sabah Wildlife Department spokesman said the possession of turtle eggs in Sabah is an offence under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
If convicted, violators would be liable to be fined RM50,000 or jailed up to five years, or both, he said, adding that most eggs sold in Sandakan were from the Philippines.
“But whether it comes from the Philippines or Sabah, the punishment will still be the same,” the spokesman said.
Complaints on illegal turtle egg trading or possession can be forwarded to www.wildlife.sabah.gov.my, he added.
Non-governmental organisation Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research believed the problem lay in people’s attitude.
Its president, Alexander Yee, said if people stopped consuming turtle eggs, the supply would automatically cease to exist.
“We have this problem because people still buy from the illegal traders on the streets,” he said, adding that the eggs were also “exported”.
“This is where we need to get the relevant authorities to cooperate with each other to tackle the problem and stop it from coming in or going out.”
Yee said stringent checks needed to be conducted at exit and entry points to deter culprits from trading or even buying turtle eggs.