Sabah forestry to set up patrol squad to keep poachers in check

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Forestry Department plans to set up a patrol squad solely dedicated to curb poaching activities in the jungle of Sabah.
State Forest Chief Conservator Datuk Sam Mannan said his department plans to recruit 50 patrol personnel, who will be trained to use weapons as a security measure to rid poachers from disturbing the jungles and the inhabitants.
"We (Forestry Department) need about RM2 million to recruit, train and acquire the necessary weapons for this purpose.
"We fear poaching activities are becoming rampant in our jungles and we are looking to make our (Forestry Department) presence in the forests at all times," he told reporters after the opening of the Ninth International Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative here today.
According to Sam, the most problematic areas of illegal poaching include Tabin, Kinabatangan, North Deramakot, Ulu Segama, Segaliud and Kalabakan-Sapulut.

On the HoB initiative, he said although it had been 10 years since its implementation, many challenges still needed to be overcome in order for the initiative to achieve great success.
These include political stability in Sabah and continuity of good policy for managing and conserving the forests, he said. — Bernama