4 days ago
Officers trained to fight wildlife trafficking in Sabah
The participants of the Comprehensive Wildlife Crime Investigation and Prosecution Workshop.
KOTA KINABALU (June 3): Sabah Parks, in collaboration with Justice for Wildlife Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu Working Group on Environment (KKCWGE), has successfully concluded a specialised four-day workshop from May 20 to 23, focused on wildlife crime investigation and prosecution techniques. The comprehensive training programme brought together law enforcement officers and legal professionals to strengthen Sabah's capacity in combating illegal wildlife trade.
This workshop was part of the Justice for Wildlife Malaysia's ongoing efforts to conduct a sensitization program for effective prosecution under the SHIELD (Sabah Harmonized Intelligence, Enforcement, and Legal Defense Against Wildlife Crimes) initiatives.
The workshop, 'Bengkel Berfokus Siasatan dan Pendakwaan Jenayah Hidupan Liar Taman-Taman Sabah,' covered critical aspects of wildlife crime enforcement including Malaysia's criminal justice system, digital evidence management from social media platforms, comprehensive search and seizure operations, specialised wildlife evidence handling procedures, and courtroom testimony preparation for investigating officers.
The programme emphasised practical application through live demonstrations and group exercises.
Participants engaged in realistic scenarios covering vehicle searches, premises inspections, arrest procedures, body searches, and evidence collection protocols.
The training culminated with a mock trial session conducted at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex under the supervision of judge Ferhanshah Farene, a deputy registrar of the High Court of Kota Kinabalu, providing participants with authentic courtroom experience.
A distinguished team delivered the workshop for law enforcement professionals, including ASP Tobias Anthony Banding, DSP Ahmad Fauzi bin Ibrahim, DSP Tan Hiap Wah, JWM's legal advisor Dato' Rosli, and Sabah Wildlife Department's head of prosecution, Primus Lambut. This diverse expertise ensured comprehensive coverage of operational and legal aspects of wildlife crime investigation.
This initiative represents a significant advancement in Sabah's wildlife conservation efforts, directly addressing the critical need for specialised law enforcement capabilities in combating wildlife trafficking.
The training supports Malaysia's commitment to international conservation agreements and strengthens its ability to protect its unique biodiversity heritage.
The collaboration between Sabah Parks, Justice for Wildlife Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu Court Working Group on Environment exemplifies the importance of strategic partnerships in wildlife protection.
By combining government enforcement capabilities with specialised NGO expertise, the programme creates a more robust and effective response to wildlife crime threats.
Participants completed the programme with enhanced capabilities in evidence collection, case preparation, digital evidence management, and court presentation, essential skills for successful wildlife crime prosecutions. The knowledge and techniques acquired will immediately apply to ongoing conservation enforcement efforts across Sabah's protected areas and beyond.
The workshop's success demonstrates Sabah's commitment to remaining at the forefront of wildlife crime prevention and prosecution, ensuring that those who threaten the state's precious wildlife resources face the full force of the law.
