KUALA LUMPUR: The hobby of big game hunting here will soon be a thing of the past when police start phasing out the issuance of firearm licences to such hunters.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador (pix) said today the move to gradually halt the issuance of firearm licenses to about 6,900 holders nationwide is part of the initiative to conserve and protect Malaysian wildlife in line with the mission of ‘Ops Bersepadu Khazanah’ - an initiative launched last year against the poaching of exotic flora and fauna in the country.
“We are in the process of withdrawing these licences and it will be done in phases. Eventually, we will decrease or completely cease the issuance of such permits.
“The licence issued to holders to protect their farms also allows them to carry out hunting activities in accordance with the terms and conditions. If at all we decide to allow, it will be restricted and perhaps seasonal.
“However, why should we hunt? We do not need to anymore. It is high-time for Malaysians to give up this hobby of hunting.
“Stop it, it is enough. We have so much food and meat including those that come in cans,” he said after a high-powered meeting between police, the Department of Wildlife (Perhilitan) and the National Parks and the Royal Customs Department.
Abdul Hamid said he also discouraged those who shoot animals that encroach into their farms and urged them to adopt other methods of keeping the pests at bay.
“Shooting these animals should be the last resort. Sometimes, a whole generation of these animals are killed. We will allow firearm ownership to protect their land but not hunting. Please look for another hobby,“ he said.
Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, who was also present at the press conference, said his department will also limit the hunting licence for wild boars to six month a year compared to the year round permit currently.
Abdul Hamid lauded Perhilitan’s move to reduce the hunting season for wild boars to enable the animal to breed and multiply.
“We must remember that the wild boar has its role and contributes to the ecology as it is food for the tigers and other animals. So let’s not simply get rid of it. For those who like to eat its meat, remember there are a lots farm pigs available,” he said.
Abdul Hamid said in the past there have been cases of name-dropping VVIPs to personnel to coerce the authorities to allow them into the forest.
He has advised his personnel to lodge reports for police to take action if they are faced with such situations.
