Environment Ministry's 2024 successes: Better wildlife protection, fine hike

An increase in wildlife protection enforcement activities and the introduction of a new fine amount of RM10 million for environmental offenders were among the successes of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry this year.

Its minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, said the ministry had beefed up wildlife protection enforcement activities, including for the Malayan tiger, with an increase in community rangers to 1,924 people costing RM60 million.

The ministry also implemented amendments to the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024.

"The Act in force since 1974 has also been amended where the maximum fine for environmental crimes has been increased from RM100,000 to RM10 million and there is a mandatory jail term for environmental criminals for up to five years," he said in a post on social media today in summarising the ministry’s achievements.

New protected areas

Nik Nazmi said about 350,000 hectares of land and ocean areas have also been gazetted as new protected areas as of September last year under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer incentive.

In addition, it also implemented an initiative to help villagers and Orang Asli with property and crop losses due to wildlife attacks.

"There are 130 applicants as of last September who have benefited more than RM410,000," he added.

He said Malaysia's greening programme through the planting of 100 million trees had also been successfully completed a year earlier with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim planting the 100 millionth tree.

- Bernama

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