Six-team collaboration, including Sabah GOF, for Ops Khazanah

SANDAKAN – Well aware that teamwork is the only way to protect Sabah’s nature and endangered wildlife from poachers and intruders, its police’s General Operations Force (GOF) will work with five other agencies in Ops Khazanah, which started on August 9. 

With the collaboration officially launched today, Ops Khazanah will be conducted by the GOF along with the Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks, WWF Malaysia and Sandakan Municipal Council. 

Sabah GOF commander Mohd Abdul Ismail said since Ops Khazanah began in 2019, the police have been working on their own.

He said the GOF faced many difficulties, including understanding the jurisdiction in the protected areas as well as having limited information of possible law violations relating to forest reserves and protected flora and fauna.

“The involvement of five other agencies would solve this problem, with their on-ground expertise.

“We can also share information for a more efficient and effective operation,” he said during the launch of Ops Khazanah in Kabili Theatre, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok, here today.

However, the police will not be the only party gaining from this, as the other agencies will also benefit from the protection provided by the police during the operation.

The boys in blue will be able to protect unarmed enforcement personnel from other departments. 

“For instance, let’s say the enforcement unit of Sabah Forestry Department ambushes an area with armed intruders. They will be exposed to danger and threats. This can be avoided if the operation is conducted with the police, who are armed,” he said. 

A mere five days after the joint operation commenced, the teams have already busted two criminal activities – mangrove logging in Pulau Jambongan Beluran’s forest reserve, and an intrusion in a Kudat marine park under Sabah Parks. 

The operation is currently eyeing a house in Sabah that is believed to be a warehouse for turtle eggs.

While the joint effort will be an ongoing initiative, Ops Khazanah is set to be conducted only up to August 30.

Abdul said it is for the teams involved to track and evaluate the progress of the operation, so they can amend and improve the operation for future application.

“We believe each agency will be able to play their respective roles effectively, making the operation more efficient,” he said.

Also present were Sabah GOF deputy commander Toipi Lamat, Sabah Wildlife Department representative Hussein Muin, and the Sabah chief conservator’s representative Zulkifli Suara.

Members of the public with information on crime related to protected flora and fauna can contact the Ops Khazanah hotline at 019-272-4611. – The Vibes, August 13, 2021