Five Indonesians arrested, 323 protected birds seized from illegal bird trading centre in Suai

MIRI, Oct 12, 2015 - Five Indonesians were arrested by enforcement officers from Sarawak Forestry Corporation in a raid carried out at an illegal trading centre inside an oil palm plantation in Suai, near here, last Saturday.

The officers also seized 323 birds of various species, including the protected white rumped sharma, oriental magpie robin (burung semalau) and Asian glossy starling (burung tegok).

 Caption: White rumped sharma

A SFC spokesman said the illegal bird trading centre has been operating for the past month.

He said the five suspects and the birds will be handed over to the Forest Department for further action.

"As for the birds that have been confiscated, we have identified three separate species that are protected under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998, namely, white rumped shama (burong laut), oriental magpie robin (burong semalau) and Asian glossy tarling ( burung tegok) . 

"It is an offense under the ordinance to keep, sell or buy any protected wildlife species. The conviction of such offense is punishable by a fine of RM10, 000 and imprisonment for a term of one year," he said.

He said the suspects had been detained at Batu Niah Police Station for further investigation. 

The spokesman said SFC thanked members of the public who have assisted the authorities to help curtail illegal wildlife trading and illegal logging in the Miri Region and elsewhere in Sarawak.  

 Caption: The birds are kept inside these plastic baskets by the five suspects.

The corporation hopes that in time to come, those with information on such illegal activities would contact SARAWAK FORESTRY at the following hotlines: Kuching (019-8859996),Miri (019-8290994), Bintulu   (019-8266096) and Sibu (019-8290992).