MALAYSIA has become a transit country for high-value wildlife smuggling, including elephant ivory, rhino horns, and exotic reptiles.
According to data on wildlife seizures from authorities form India for flights originating from KLIA1 and KLIA2, there were 8 cases recorded in 2023 and 12 cases in 2024.
In response to this issue, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) along with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) have taken proactive steps to combat wildlife trafficking.
Among the initiatives undertaken by NRES and Perhilitan to manage and protect wildlife in the country include coordinating and monitoring enforcement efforts by stepping up proper planning, coordinating, and monitoring enforcement operations at KLIA to ensure that the import, export, and re-export activities comply with current regulations and standards.
Routine inspections and enforcement operations will be carried out on wildlife consignments and enforcement operations at the Free Trade Zone of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to ensure all wildlife-related transactions follow the provisions under the Wildlife Conservation Act 716 and the Trade in Endangered Species Act 686.
The ministry and Perhilitan will manages the seized wildlife consignments detained at KLIA for violations of Act 716 or Act 686, ensuring proper investigations, legal actions, and disposal through the court process while recording and updating data on wildlife trade releases in the MyOGA system, including confirmation of CITES and Non-CITES permits, which regulates of trade in specimens of species.
There will also be a more detail inspection and enforcement operation on luggage and items carried by passengers, both departing and arriving at KLIA's international and domestic terminals, ensuring compliance with the provisions of Act 716 and Act 686.
NRES and Perhilitan will also continue enforcement activities in collaboration with various agencies such as the police, the Royal Customs Department (JKDM), the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), and others, as part of the Integrated Operation for Treasure (Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah or OBK) to deal with wildlife items detained at KLIA for violations of Act 716 or Act 686, and ensuring they undergo proper investigations and legal actions, including court disposal.
NRES Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had visited the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 on March 7 to observe the enforcement of wildlife trade control activities.
The visit included a comprehensive overview of the AVSEC Baggage Screening Room, the Mul Baggage area, as well as the OOG Scanner Machines in the Departure Hall of KLIA2.
“During the visit, I was briefed on the detection operations carried out by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) using detection dogs and given a tour of the baggage screening system at KLIA2, organised by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).”
He explained the OBK operation, which began in September 2019, continues with scheduled operations at wildlife crime hotspots, including key border entry points such as KLIA and other land, air, and sea borders.
“KLIA remains a high-risk entry point for wildlife smuggling activities. Therefore, the role and cooperation between enforcement agencies and MAHB are crucial to effectively combat this illegal trade, Nik Nazmi said, in a statement released by NRES today.
Accompanying him on the visit were the NRES Secretary-General Datuk Dr. Ching Thoo a/l Kim; Deputy Secretary-General (Natural Resources), Norsham Abdul Latip; Director-General of PERHILITAN, Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim; representatives from MAHB, the Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), and the Department of Quarantine and Inspection Services Malaysia (MAQIS). – March 11, 2025
