Plight of the Pangolins

Originally posted on November 18, 2005

This letter was published in the News Straits Time on 15th November 2005.

It has been less than a month since the news of the illegal poaching and butchering of a tiger and of the smuggling of over 900 exotic monitor lizards graced our daily newspapers. Today we hear of another tragic story - a man was caught smuggling 10 Malayan pangolins (Manis Javanica) or also known as Tenggiling in Malay. Many are not aware that the pangolin is a totally protected animal and there is a ban on all international trade of pangolins. Hence all trades in Asian pangolins are illegal today and yet we find an abundance of its body parts in Chinese restaurants and medical halls.

There were news that pangolins are able to fetch a handsome sum of RM1,500 each from the Chinese traders. In the past few years, we have heard of bigger numbers being confiscated. Back in April 2002, it was reported in Vietnam that officials confiscated some 600 pangolins and 700 monitor lizards totalling 4.5 tonnes - smuggled from Malaysia. Apparently, confiscation of such a nature occurs almost on a daily basis at our borders. I cannot imagine the numbers that managed to escape detection and was successfully smuggled.

Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the perpetrator(s) can be fined up to RM15,000 and/or a maximum jail sentence of 5 years. We know that the Government has proposed an amendment to the current Wildlife Protection Act to stiffen the penalties.

Nevertheless, we also saw perpetrators getting away with merely a slap on the wrist - a meagre fine and no jail terms. Ang Chun Tan got away with only a fine of RM7,000 for a butchered tiger. Ching Boon Keat got away with only a fine of RM3,000 for 929 exotic monitor lizards.

I strongly urge the authorities and government officials involved to bring justice to the sentencing of this case. Animals and their habitat cannot defend their own rights but that does not limit us from letting true justice be served.