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Wildlife Department shorthanded to stop sales of turtle eggs BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Wildlife Department shorthanded to stop sales of turtle eggs

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 09:39 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: It is alleged that much of the turtle eggs supplied to Peninsular Malaysia are from Sabah.

Head of the Turtles and Marine Ecosystem Centre (TUMEC) at Rantau Abang, Terengganu, Syed Abdullah Syed Abdul Kadir, has alleged that the turtle eggs could be easily smuggled and that the sensor at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) would not be able to detect the eggs.

Syed Abdullah also alleged that some of the turtle eggs at Peninsular Malaysia were obtained from Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Paul Basintal, director of Sabah Parks, said that it is unlikely that the turtle eggs that were smuggled to Peninsular Malaysia were from Sabah. He added that it is more likely to be from the Southern Philippines, smuggled to Sabah and later despatched to Peninsular Malaysia.

"The eggs were on transit in Sabah before they were brought to Peninsular Malaysia," he claimed.

He also mentioned that he has been informed that the eggs could not be detected easily and could be smuggled using the courier service.

As for the sales of turtle eggs in Sandakan, Paul said that he believed the eggs were from the Southern Philippines.

During the Tanduo incident, the supply of turtle eggs went down, he said.

"But two weeks ago, the supply of turtle eggs went up again in Sandakan," he said.

Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) district wildlife officer in Sandakan, Rashid Saburi, interjected that it was difficult for them to address the exploitation of turtle eggs in Sandakan.

"The eggs are sold by PTIs (illegal immigrants) and when we conduct our operation, they will suddenly disappear. It is as if there has been a leak of information," he said.

He added that it was also difficult for Esscom to stop the illegal trading of the turtle eggs. As for his department, he said that they were short of manpower.

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Esscom D-G: No attempt by Abu Sayyaf, MNLF groups to intrude into Sabah’s East Coast

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 09:35 AM PST

LAHAD DATU: Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek said there has been no attempt by members of the Abu Sayyaf group or the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)to penetrate into the coastal areas of eastern Sabah.

He said that the security situation in the area, also known as the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE), was safe and under control.

The zone encompasses 10 districts involving 1,733.7 kilometres from Kudat to Tawau. The districts are Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, and Tawau.

As such, Mohammad called on the people to be calm and not believe rumours that could make matters worse.

"Based on intelligence obtained by Esscom, there has been no attempt to enter the area by the Abu Sayaf group or the MNLF as claimed. As such, I wish to advise the people not to panic and refrain from spreading unfounded information including through the social media," he said in a statement, here yesterday.

On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was quoted as saying that the security forces in the coastal areas of eastern Sabah were in a state of preparedness to face any eventuality, including the threat of any attack by foreigners.

Khalid disclosed this to reporters in Kuala Lumpur when asked on the claim that several militant groups including the Abu Sayyaf and MNLF wanted to attack three areas namely Pulau Selingan (Sandakan), Pulau Langkayan (Beluran) and Sukau Resort (Kinabatangan), tomorrow and on Christmas Day.

Mohammad said security measures in ESSZONE were being tightened including raising the number of patrols by the various defence and security agencies including the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Marine Operations Force (MOF).

In addition, Mohammad said ESSCOM, which is responsible for coordinating all the defence and security agencies in ESSZONE, had created and deployed the Quick Response Force in several strategic areas to cut off any attempt to enter Malaysian waters.

"We have utilised our defence and security assets such as aeroplanes and helicopters to strengthen security control in our maritime areas," he said.

In this regard, Mohammad warned those trying to collaborate with the enemy, including by giving information to the groups wishing to infiltrate into the country to refrain from doing so because stern action would be taken against those involved. — Bernama

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Health ministry to set up disaster response squads

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 09:34 AM PST

KEMAMAN: The Health Ministry will set up special disaster response squads made up of medical personnel who will be equipped with skills to deal with disasters.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said members of the squads would undergo training provided by relevant agencies to prepare them for disaster relief missions.

"The medical personnel involved will not only be provided with medical training, but also safety training such as rescuing flood victims," he told reporters after visiting the Kemaman Health Office here yesterday.

He said the squads, which would be placed in several disaster-prone areas, would also be assisted by other medical personnel during disasters.

Meanwhile, he said the ministry had not receive any reports on outbreak of diseases in flood-hit states in the East Coast.

Subramaniam said the ministry was also bracing for the second waves of floods predicted to hit the East Coast. — Bernama

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Two hurt as fire destroys 80 houses

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 08:29 AM PST

by Christy Chok. Posted on December 18, 2013, Wednesday

TAWAU: Two men suffered injuries when fire destroyed 80 wooden houses at Kg Kurnia Jaya here yesterday morning.

One of the victims, Jamil Aiqil, 60, was injured in a fall while another, Abdul Razak, 40, was in a state of shock due to shortness of breath. Both were taken to the Tawau hospital.

District Fire and Rescue Department Chief Rudy Fredzex said the department received a distress call at 9:05 am and sent out 30 firemen in three fire engines as well as three supporting vehicles to the scene. The fire destroyed about 10 wooden houses when the firemen arrived at 9:11 am.

Rudy said the firemen managed to get the fire under control at 10:57 am and ended rescue operations at 1:17 pm. The firemen were also assisted by 12 civil defence personnel, 15 police personnel, three medical officers and the district maritime department.

He said there were no casualties reported, while the cause of fire and the estimated losses were still under investigation.

Rudy also advised the public to be careful especially during school holidays because fires can happen any time and at any place. They should ensure that kitchen utensils and appliances are safely shut before leaving their houses.

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Man feared drowned as truck plunges into river

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 08:28 AM PST

by Elton Gomes. Posted on December 18, 2013, Wednesday

PENAMPANG: A 20-year-old man has been reported missing and feared drowned when the catering truck he and the driver were in plunged into a river near Kampung Dambai, along the Penampang/Papar road yesterday morning.

The victim, only identified as Hafiz, is reported missing after the truck driver lost control of the vehicle which knocked against a railing before it plunged into the river around 3.40am.

It is believed the truck was on the way to Kg Inobong, Penampang from City Mall, Luyang when the incident happened.

It is said that the 26-year-old driver managed to swim to the river bank while Hafiz, believed to be able to swim, was swept by water current.

Meanwhile, State Fire and Rescue Services Department public relation officer Senior Assistant Superintendent Mohd Affendy Ramin said search operation was carried out since 3.48am yesterday.

"Effort is still being carried out to find the missing man and we have called in the Fire and Rescue scuba unit for help," he said.

Mohd Affendy added that the truck had also submerged in the river which made it difficult to locate the victim.

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LDP political work camp Jan 4-5

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 08:26 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is organizing a political work camp in an effort to better equip participants to become better leaders to serve the party and the community.

The work camp is the first event jointly organized by the party's newly elected Central Youth and Wanita Movements.

The purpose of the work camp is to provide an opportunity for the front line Youth and Wanita leaders to learn and discuss on the party's struggle and bring about an accord for moving forward.

LDP Political Work Camp Committee finalized its upcoming work camp programs last Saturday. The event will be held on the January 4 and 5, 2014 at Borneo Paradise Resort.

As many as 60 participants from the Central Youth and Wanita Movements plus divisional youth and wanita leaders have been invited to take part in this work camp.

Senior leaders from the party have been invited to speak on various topics concerning the party at the event.

The work camp will be officiated by LDP deputy president Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin on the first day, and officially closed by the party president Datuk Teo Chee Kang, JP the next day.

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