By Olivia Miwil - March 18, 2021 @ 12:33pm
TAWAU: A former Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister has called for a fair investigation into reports of people poaching at a forest reserve here.
Datuk Christina Liew was referring to news of 14 people including four policemen who were arrested in the logging camp area of the Sapulut forest reserve in Kalabakan, here.
During the raid on March 17 at 12.44pm, an elite forest commando unit called the Protect team also seized several animal carcasses including wild boars and local deer.
Liew, who is also Tawau member of parliament, added that the rule of law must be upheld at all times and no one is above the law.
"All citizens are equal before the law, regardless of whether one is an MP or ex-MP.
"As leaders, political or otherwise, we must set a good example in safeguarding Sabah's protected wildlife.
"In the interest of fairness, the State Wildlife Department must be impartial in its investigation into the case which is within the ambit of Sabah's Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997," Liew said in a statement.
Yesterday, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali had said the suspects including four police were released on police bail after their statements were taken by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD).
Hazani added police would conduct the investigation against its personnel while waiting for the full report from SWD and assured there would be no element of interference.
He also denied rumours of the involvement of a politician, believed to be a nominated assemblyman and former MP in the arrest.
The police chief also reminded that stern action will be taken against those spreading fake news under Section 500 of Penal Code for defamation and Section 233 (1) Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
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