KeTSA's OBK wins 2020 Asia Environment Enforcement Award

KUALA LUMPUR: The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry’s (KeTSA) “Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK)” is among the winners of the fifth Asia Environment Enforcement Awards, organised under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), yesterday.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said OBK won the international recognition based on its success in 2019 with the arrest of 87 wildlife criminals and involved seizure worth RM2.7 million and destruction of 460 wire snares.

“In 2020, a total of 140 offenders were arrested with a total seizure worth RM1.85 million and a total of 672 wire snares were destroyed. OBK is still actively implemented in 2021 and strengthened under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3),” he said in a statement today.

OBK was launched on Sept 3, 2019 to combat trespassing, illegal logging and wildlife hunting and involved the cooperation of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (WILDLIFE), Royal Malaysia Police, the Customs Department, Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department, State Forestry Departments, Perak State Park Corporation, Johor State Park Corporation and non-governmental organisations.

Shamsul Anuar expressed his appreciation to all quarters involved in OBK and congratulated them on their success.

He also called for greater cooperation in efforts to combat forest encroachment, illegal logging and wildlife hunting.

A strategic cooperation like this will not only be continued but will be strengthened to safeguard the country's priceless treasure chests of biodiversity,” he added.

-- BERNAMA