KUALA LUMPUR: Enforcement of increased penalties for online wildlife trade activities which have been rampant on social media will be possible with amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Act (Act 716) to be tabled this year.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the bill would see the inclusion of provisions for enforcement to curb trading and promotion of wildlife; a specific provision addressing wildlife services and increasing penalties for offences under the Act.
He said the maximum jail term would also be increased to 15 years and maximum fine increased from RM500,000 to RM1 million.
The amendments would also see empowerment of the department's enforcement officers to prosecute in courts.
"A total 25 wildlife officers have been authorised to conduct prosecution in court under Act 716. The ministry is committed in addressing the smuggling of wildlife through enforcement activities through collaboration and information-sharing with Interpol since 2016 - Op Dragon, Op Chameleon and various programmes under Interpol," he said in his debate wrap-up speech on the Royal address at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Other efforts, he said, included cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Traffic, which is a wildlife trade monitoring network; as well as setting up the Intelligence and Tactical Command Centre for Wildlife Crime.
On a separate matter, Shamsul said the national tiger population survey, which started in 2016, was expected to be completed in October, with the official tally being released by the year end.