I once had this aquarium... at least 15 years ago...

This post has been edited by auhckw: Jul 28 2010, 04:41 PM

Are you waiting for them to confirm they are going to give out permits easily or are you waiting for them to remove the law?

Turtle: I am sad

The biggest turtle that i've touched

Somewhere in Bali. Cannot remember the exact place. Have to sit boat to see those turtles. A lot turtles there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWZRGZInJkw

Rare tortoise sold openly at Indonesian expo
30 July 2010 Last updated at 11:46 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10815983



The most endangered tortoise in the world is being sold at an exposition in the Indonesian capital, highlighting concerns over Jakarta's illegal pet trade.

Ploughshare tortoises, of which there are fewer than 200 left in the wild, are among those on sale at the event.

Wildlife trade monitoring group TRAFFIC says that Indonesia has emerged as a major trading hub for the animals.

The trade is lucrative, with some at the event priced up to $1,700 (£1,100).

Among those being sold at the plant and animal expo were the critically endangered radiated tortoise from Madagascar, the Indian star tortoise and the pig-nose tortoise from Indonesia's northeastern province of Papua.

Sellers told Associated Press that other turtles could also be obtained for a price.

'Lack of action'

Chris Sheppard from TRAFFIC said that dealers continue to flout regulations in Indonesia to trade threatened tortoises and freshwater turtles from Africa, South America and Asia.

"Recent surveys, and this expo, have shown that the trade continues and, in fact, now involves more illegally imported species than ever," Mr Shepherd told AP.

"Dealers know full well that it is illegal and are taking advantage of the enforcement agencies' lack of action."

In 2008, the Indonesian government tightened rules on the trade, ruling that all tortoise and turtle species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) exported to Indonesia would require an import permit.

According to a 2008 report by TRAFFIC, the supply and demand of freshwater turtles and tortoises appears to be increasing throughout South East Asia.

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Added on July 31, 2010, 4:13 pmIn this Thursday, July 29, 2010 photo, visitors look at tortoise on display during an annual flora and fauna expo in Jakarta, Indonesia. Critically endangered tortoise are being sold openly at a plant and animal exposition in the heart of Indonesia's capital, highlighting concerns about the rampant _ and growing _ illegal pet trade.





This post has been edited by auhckw: Jul 31 2010, 04:13 PM

Anyone can scan the letter and show the content?

MACC raids wildlife dept over ‘permit issue abuse’
September 25, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...3939&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Anti-corruption officers raided the headquarters of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Cheras following allegations of abuse in the issuance of wildlife permits.

It was learnt that officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com­mission (MACC) went to the headquarters on Tuesday morning and carted away files, documents and laptops related to wildlife permits and licences to help in their investigations.

According to a source in the department, the MACC personnel asked for the office of a high-ranking officer in charge of the overall issuance and monitoring of wildlife permits and licences.

Although the officer, believed to be responsible for the support and recommendation in the approval of such permits was on leave, MACC personnel were allowed to enter the office.

It was believed that during the raid, several officers were also interviewed.

When contacted, a Perhilitan senior officer confirmed that MACC was at the headquarters to conduct an investigation but declined to elaborate.

He also refused to speculate if any wildlife permit issued to infamous wildlife trader Anson Wong or his family member had been revoked.

In confirming the incident, MACC investigations director Mustafar Ali insisted that it was merely “visit” and not a raid, but declined to comment further.

The headquarters is one of the three offices in the country - besides Penang and Johor branches - responsible for the issuance of wildlife permits.

There are three types of permits and licences for the handling of wild animals.

A licence is required to handle protected wildlife such as reticulated pythons and meerkats which fall under Schedule Two, Four and Five of the Protection of Wildlife Act while a special permit is necessary for totally protected species like Malayan tigers and Sumatran rhinoceros, and orang utan.

A Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) permit is required for all activities involving the import and export of wildlife listed under it such as snakes and turtles.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas had announced that the department would be undergoing a shake-up to weed out officers who were in cahoots with illegal wildlife traders.

The department had been dogged with allegations of corruption among its enforcement officers following Wong’s arrest at KL International Airport on Aug 26 for trying to smuggle out 95 boa constrictors, two rhinoceros vipers and a Mata Mata turtle without a permit while on transit from Penang to Jakarta, Indonesia.

The ministry, particularly Perhilitan, had been heavily criticised by conservation groups after Wong was sentenced on Sept 6 to six months’ jail and fined RM190,000 by the Sepang Sessions Court.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers is appealing against the sentence while a Penang National Park and Wildlife Department director was reportedly transferred to another state effective Oct 1.

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Added on September 27, 2010, 11:39 amMACC probes wildlife officer
2010/09/27
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2eva/Article

KUALA LUMPUR: A senior Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) official is being probed over the alleged abuse of power in the issuance of wildlife permits.

A source said the official was being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) following allegations of abuse in the issuance of licences and wildlife import and export permits.

"An investigation paper was opened following several media reports on the issuance and monitoring of permits and licences," the source said.


"MACC is also probing whether the issuance of a permit to wildlife trader Anson Wong was above board."

Wong, a notorious wildlife trafficker, was sentenced to six months' jail and fined RM190,000 earlier this month for smuggling 98 boa constrictors.

He had served time in the United States for a similar offence nine years ago, where he was sentenced to 71 months in jail.


It was dubbed one of the largest cases of illegal trade ever prosecuted in the US.

MACC officers raided the Perhilitan headquarters in Cheras last week and carted away files, documents and laptops.

It is understood that most of the items seized were related to the issuance of wildlife permits and licences.


Besides the Cheras headquarters, Perhilitan offices in Penang and Johor also have the authority to issue wildlife permits.

"There have been reports on alleged corruption and unethical practices among Perhilitan officers following Wong's arrest," said the source.

"MACC officers are looking at all the documents seized to see whether the procedures were followed when the permits or licences were issued."

The source said the official, one of the top-ranking officers in Perhilitan, would be quizzed as MACC continues its investigation into the case.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup admitted that the ministry had received complaints and heard rumours of "improper conduct" involving Perhilitan officials following Wong's prosecution.

"We had heard of allegations that something that was not right was happening in the department, but they didn't name any specific officer," he said.

"The ministry has been monitoring the situation. Now that the MACC is investigating, we promise our full cooperation."


Read more: MACC probes wildlife officer http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2eva/Ar...e#ixzz10hJnKXGw

This post has been edited by auhckw: Sep 27 2010, 11:39 AM