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<b>Sabah</b> declares war on poachers - The Borneo Post Online Berita Sabah - News 2 Sabah

<b>Sabah</b> declares war on poachers - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 11 Dec 2013 03:40 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun has issued an all-out call to address the issue of wildlife poaching and trading in Sabah to the fullest extent of the law after the arrest of three sellers yesterday.

"The war on illegal wildlife trade and poaching has just begun, so hunters and poachers in Sabah be warned that there will be no compromise as we will be prosecuting and we will charge them to the highest extent of the law. Be ready to go to jail," warned Masidi.

The minister was commenting on the successful sting operation carried out by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) on Wednesday morning at the tamu grounds of Nabawan town, which caught three individuals.

"A total of 145 kilograms of Sambar deer meat and 15 kilograms of Barking deer meat were confiscated by our wildlife rangers as they were being sold without valid permits," said Benedict Jani, officer-in-charge of SWD office in Keningau.

However, three other traders managed to get away after the first two were apprehended along with a third individual who resisted arrest and was preventing SWD officers from confiscating the meat, added Jani.

"Nabawan district has become a hotspot for the sale of illegal bushmeat in recent years due to the vast road networks all the way to Tawau and we will not be surprised if this bushmeat was illegally hunted in Maliau Basin or as far as some protected forest reserves in Tawau and Lahad Datu," shared Jani.

The SWD has been clamping down on such activities and currently has 10 similar cases pending prosecution, according to Jani.

The samples of the confiscated meat will also be sent to our Wildlife Health, Genetic and Forensic Laboratory for genetic analysis to confirm the species of wildlife, according to Dr Sen Nathan, assistant director of SWD and also a wildlife veterinarian.

"We would also be conducting analysis to see if there are any viruses or bacteria found in the confiscated meat that could be hazardous to human health which is also a concern for the department," said Sen.

In addition, the director of SWD, Datuk Dr Laurentius Ambu, has stated that the SWD will be increasing regular surveillance on all districts in Sabah for illegal poaching and trading by beefing up its wildlife enforcement capabilities and efficiency by setting up a separate unit.

"We want to follow the template of our very successful Wildlife Rescue Unit and we need about RM2 million to get the Wildlife Enforcement Unit underway with at least five fully modified four-wheel drive vehicles, 500 camera traps, unmanned drones for the team of 20 wildlife enforcement rangers," said Laurentius.

"The operation in Nabawan is just the beginning, we will arrest you for poaching and selling wildlife illegally," he said unequivocally.

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All <b>Sabah</b> towns to be &#39;liveable&#39; cities – CM - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 09:43 AM PST

by Murib Morpi. Posted on December 13, 2013, Friday

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government is committed to turn all towns in Sabah into "liveable cities" that are comfortable and welcoming to the dwellers, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Liveable city is the people's dream and making it a reality is not just a vision but a responsibility of the government, he said.

He noted that the Federal Government had in its 2014 National Budget also emphasized on living quality of the people, including by incorporating green technologies in its future development plans.

An allocation of RM15 million in initial funding was provided to encourage green and environmental friendly development.

"For us in the State Government, we fully support and welcome the initiative and commitment by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak," Musa said in his speech at a Planning Seminar held in conjunction with World Town Planning 2013 here, yesterday.

The text of his speech was delivered by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor.

Musa said the Government's seriousness in creating a comfortable living environment for the people could be seen in many of its development projects, including the recently completed Sabah Art Gallery (SAG).

The SAG was the first certified Green Building in Sabah, setting a new standard to be emulated by developers for their future projects.

"Apart from that, we have also launched the Eco-Development Project in Tanjung Aru, which was launched personally by the Prime Minister himself," he said.

The Chief Minister also said the local authorities (PBT) play a vital role and should lead in the government's effort to create liveable cities, by adopting a clear standard and preparing a detailed development planning for their respective towns.

The Urban and Regional Planning Department, he added, has a huge responsibility not only in preparing the guideline to be used but also assessing their practicality.

The department, he suggested, should also study and learn from the standards and approaches that have been adopted by advanced cities in other countries.

"The Urban and Regional Planning Department is in the process of reviewing the planning standard, as part of its effort to ensure today's planning meets the needs and taste of the people," he said, commending the department for its commitment towards the Liveable City vision.

He also called on all parties, including developers, to form strategic joint ventures for a more coordinated and effective development.

He said this was important to ensure that every development project would contribute towards achieving liveable city, to create conducive, safe and rich living environment for the people.

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<b>Sabah</b> crime index drops 4.5 pct - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 09:07 AM PST

PENAMPANG: The overall crime index in the state has dropped by 4.5 per cent for the first 11 months of this year, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib.

"Burglary cases have also declined by 2.2 per cent from January until November this year, while cases that have been successfully charged in court increased to 5.5 per cent," he said after launching the community policing 'Fear of Crime' 2013 at Donggongon township here yesterday.

Also present were UPKO Penampang divisional chief Donald Peter Mojuntin, State deputy police commissioner P/DCP Datuk Abdul Malek Harun, Crime Investigation Department chief SAC Omar Mammah, Police Training Centre (Pulapol) Sabah Pulapol commander Superintendent Mohd Azhar Hamin and Penampang police chief DSP Ratan Kumar Singh.

Hamza said the drop in crime cases in the state was partly due to commitment showed by the police and continuous support and cooperation from the public.

"We are on the right track to achieve the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that is to reduce crime rate in Sabah," he said.

Meanwhile, Hamza said yesterday's program was a proactive move by the police to be closer to the public to prevent and combat crime.

"With the presence of police officers and personnel on the ground, the public will feel much safer and are confident that law enforcers are always nearby to protect them," he said.

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