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New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, India may team up over wildlife smuggling
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) has pledged to work with Indian authorities following the arrest of a passenger caught smuggling two exotic monitor lizards from Kuala Lumpur to India. MCBA Air Domain director Zuhailah Jalani said that while there has been no prior collaboration with Indian authorities, they are open to working together to curb such smuggling attempts. "To date, we have not had any cooperation with Indian Authorities but we are willing to aid in their investigation if there is any request from them. "Moving forward, MCBA will seek to collaborate with the authorities there through the Indian Embassy and other international organisations," she told the New Straits Times. Zuhailah's remarks comes after Indian airport authorities busted a passenger smuggling two protected monitor lizards in his checked baggage upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur, highlighting India's lucrative illegal wildlife trade. Acting on intelligence, officers from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Tiruchirappalli International Airport in Tamil Nadu, uncovered the reptiles during an inspection. Meanwhile, Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the department would maintain close communications with the Indian authorities. "We will contact the Indian authorities through Interpol National Central Bureau Kuala Lumpur to gather further information on the case," he said. Photos released by authorities showed the two reptiles with their mouths and limbs tightly bound before being wrapped in black cloth. Their legs were also secured with tape, highlighting the cruel methods used in wildlife smuggling. In a statement issued in April, the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) raised concern over Kuala Lumpur International Airport's ongoing role as a key transit hub in the illegal wildlife trade. In early March, two individuals boarded a flight to Chennai with a suitcase containing eight exotic animals, including Eastern Grey Gibbons, marbled polecats, a silvery lutung, and a Sumatran white-bearded palm civet, it had said in a statement. Three baby siamang gibbons were found dead.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- The Sun
Two men held for attempted smuggling of exotic animals worth RM460,000 at KLIA
PUTRAJAYA: Two local men were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to smuggle out more than 300 exotic animals worth about RM460,000 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, according to the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS). In a statement today, AKPS said inspections by the authorities at around 6.30 am found all the animals hidden in the luggage belonging to the two men. Among the exotic species seized were blue iguanas, red-eared sliders, savannah monitors, Nile monitors, and common spotted cuscuses. According to AKPS, initial investigations revealed that the suspects failed to present any documents, permits, or authorisation letters to export the wildlife. 'They have been detained under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686). 'All the wildlife has been seized and confiscated for further action,' the statement said. AKPS stressed that joint monitoring and enforcement operations involving AKPS, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), and the Aviation Security team (AVSEC) will continue to be intensified to combat wildlife smuggling and safeguard the country's biodiversity.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- The Sun
Two men held for attempted smuggling of exotic animals
PUTRAJAYA: Two local men were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to smuggle out more than 300 exotic animals worth about RM460,000 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, according to the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS). In a statement today, AKPS said inspections by the authorities at around 6.30 am found all the animals hidden in the luggage belonging to the two men. Among the exotic species seized were blue iguanas, red-eared sliders, savannah monitors, Nile monitors, and common spotted cuscuses. According to AKPS, initial investigations revealed that the suspects failed to present any documents, permits, or authorisation letters to export the wildlife. 'They have been detained under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686). 'All the wildlife has been seized and confiscated for further action,' the statement said. AKPS stressed that joint monitoring and enforcement operations involving AKPS, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), and the Aviation Security team (AVSEC) will continue to be intensified to combat wildlife smuggling and safeguard the country's biodiversity.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
Two Vietnamese women arrested at KLIA
PUTRAJAYA: Two Vietnamese women were detained at Terminal 2 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last Tuesday for overstaying in the country. Checks also found there were discrepancies in the endorsements of their official travel records, said the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) in a statement today. It said the two women were detained following a random check by its monitoring unit on about 150 foreigners at the terminal. 'The two women were spotted loitering suspiciously in the departure hall area during the check,' it said. According to the agency, the two women were scheduled to depart for Ho Chi Minh City on an AirAsia flight, but had overstayed their visas. 'A check of the immigration system also found that the exit and entry security stamp endorsements on their passports were not consistent with their official travel records,' it said.
