KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's animal rights activists are angry that the government has lifted a temporary ban on catching wild birds in the count. The ban, which the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN) had been enforced since February 18, 2004, but was lifted this week with immediate effect. “It is not good as international organizations have shown that Malaysia is a top poacher in illegal bird trade,” said one environmental activist. He added in a statement to Bikyamasr.com that “the environment situation here in Malaysia is not great and we are struggling to ensure that our animals and birds are treated with respect and dignity. This is not the way to do it.” Among the licenses involved were KPM 17A (Game Birds License), KPM 18A (Other Protected Wild Birds License), KPM 22A (License to Catch Protected Wild Birds) and KPM 24A (License to house or confine Protected Wild Animals and Protected Wildlife), Bernama news agency reported. “The order is made in accordance to Section 7 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) – Power of the Director General to issue orders,” according to the government statement.
