Johor police to come down hard on poachers

05 April 2010 , By Asia One News

The police here have vowed to act tough on poachers in the state to prevent them from hunting wild animals.

Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the strong stand on this issue was in line with Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar's decree that there will be no more wildlife hunting in the state.

In an interview with The Star recently, Sultan Ibrahim said the ban was necessary to protect the wildlife especially protected species from decreasing or going extinct.

Sultan Ibrahim also wanted the procedures for the issuance of gun licences in the state to be tightened.

DCP Mohd Mokhtar added that the police had received reports that people who were licensed to carry guns had misused it for hunting.

"These people are only allowed to carry their guns for their safety and not to hunt wild animals," he told a press conference after giving out new badges to 126 lower-ranking police officers who were promoted in a ceremony at the state police headquarters here.

He said all district police chiefs in the state have been directed to conduct periodical checks to stop such activity.

"We have identified several people who were involved in hunting wild animals and will take stern action against them.

"Let this be a final reminder to those who are involved in hunting wild animals. We will also revoke your gun licence," he said.