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Petition to amend the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972 |
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Photo credit:
© MNS/Cheang Kum Seng |
22-10-2008
Wildlife in Peninsular Malaysia is primarily protected by the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972, a law designed by our lawmakers more than three decades ago to ensure that wild animals are sufficiently protected from the various threats which afflict them.
Today, however, in dealing with sophisticated wildlife criminals and their syndicates, and very high returns for dealing in wildlife, this 35-year-old law appears to be failing to achieve what it set out to do in the 70s. It is outdated and there are many loopholes which unscrupulous criminals take advantage of, at the expense of wildlife.
We are encouraged by the government's initiative and intention in revising this law. We need the Act to be comprehensively reviewed, passed, and brought into effect urgently, so the enforcement authorities can take action effectively, and the judges impose penalties as befits these crimes, which are pushing many species to extinction.
For example, the law needs to be amended so that: all products containing or claiming it contains parts of totally protected species to be made illegal and that mandatory jail sentences and stiffer fines are imposed for serious wildlife offences.
The MNS, TRAFFIC, WCS and WWF-Malaysia, major stakeholders in protection of wildlife, have so far been in consultation with the government in advocating for the changes needed. But we strongly believe more can be done by you, making our voices stronger, collectively.
Please sign this petition to urge the Malaysian government to extensively review and amend the current law, and seek public input in this process.
Petition period : Now to June 2009
Target: : 100,000 signatures
All it takes is a simple step in signing a petition we have jointly launched. Please join us in achieveing our mutual goal - saving our precious wildlife.
This initiative is brought to you by:
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
TRAFFIC
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
WWF-Malaysia
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