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While Perhilitan is to be commended for the very little time wasted in prosecuting Anson Wong, this does leave one to wonder why after fifteen months the owner of the Taiping Zoo has never been prosecuted for possession of a legally protected species.

In June 2009, Perhilitan confiscated two orangutans from Taiping Zoo and a further one from an individual in Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor.

Inexplicably, neither have been prosecuted, leaving Perhilitan wide open, yet again, to further accusations of complicity and corruption. NGO’s have requested MACC to investigate.

It is not the first time Taiping Zoo has been implicated in the illegal wildlife trade. In 2002, it was found to have in its possession, four legally protected wild-caught gorillas from Africa.

The zoo was never prosecuted and Perhilitan staff were heavily criticized for their complicity in this illegal trade. Another serious matter for MACC to investigate.

As can be seen in the case of Anson Wong, when under pressure, Perhilitan can move fast and decisively. So why has it taken this allegedly corrupt department fifteen months to (not) prosecute the Taiping Zoo and the other individual caught red-handed with illegally obtained orangutans?

Until it does prosecute, Perhilitan will remain under a heavy cloud of suspicion.

People now look to minister Douglas Embas to flex his muscles and order Perhilitan to proceed with the prosecution without further delay.

The writer is chief executive, Nature Alert .

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