Authorities have arrested 14 people including four policemen involving in illegal hunting of wild boar and deer at the Kalabakan forest reserve in Tawau.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali, however, denied there’s any involvement of former member of parliament nor interference on the probe led by Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD).

WWF-Malaysia Sabah Conservation Head Dr Robecca Jumin said the NGO supported the police’s efforts to conduct internal investigation on their personnel.

This week, SWD also inked agreement with Animal Projects & Environmental Education Sdn. Bhd. (APE Malaysia) for the forestation of Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary with 30 species of native trees for the next five years.

Such a collaboration would help to reconnect the fragmented forest areas to create safe passageways for wildlife like the Bornean pygmy elephants and orangutans.

African Swine Fever spreads to eight districts, threaten survival of bearded pig

Sabah Agriculture and Fisheris minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan revealed that the African Swine Fever has spread to eight districts- Pitas, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Telupid, Kinabatangan, Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau.

As of Wednesday,there are at least 128 confirmed deaths involving the species which the population is already declining.

“I am concern the ASF will further decrease their population at a much faster rate,” he said in a statement, assuring ASF only affects pigs and there is no need to be worried about the virus’ effects on human health.

Covid-19 and vaccination

Sabah daily Covid-19 cases remain at two-digit with several clusters detected in Tawau, Sipitang and Keningau.

State Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor assured that the vaccines supply for Sabah for now are adequate but the state would buy if there is necessitiy.

Sabah is targetting 3,000 people to be vaccinated and so far, more than 30,000 of the frontliners have received the first dose of vaccine.

Sabah allows inter-zone travel within the state.

Sabah has allowed the people to travel across zones provided that they use the services of registered tour vehicles and no stopover at non-designated zone. Such rule, however, is only allowed for those who are already in Sabah.

Last week, the government has allowed people to cross district according to zone except Nabawan. Therefore, it raises questions for those from Sandakan in Zone 4, do they also have to pay extra for tour vehicle? Are people allowed to take domestic flight instead of a long journey road trip from KK to Tawau?

Hotels and accommodations with dine-in facilities are also allowed to offer buffet services.

Report police on birth and death occur at home.

In a bid to control the issuance of identity documents (MyKad), Sabah National Registration Department has set new rules for birth or death that happened outside hospital or clinic to be reported to the police before registering it at the NRD office.

SOPs on Qing Ming festival

Starting March 20 until April 4, those who observed the tomb-sweeping festival are allowed to do so between 5am until 6pm.

However, family members should not have more than six people at one time at the tombs and have to be one metre apart from each other.

“They have to wear face masks, scan the MySejahtera QR code and disperse right after the ritual, for which they are only allowed to stay for an hour and 30 minutes.

“Family members who are sick and symptomatic are not allowed to come in, while senior citizens and children below 12 are discouraged from attending.”