Sabah Wildlife Department Seizes Protected Pangolin During Raid at Semporna Tourism Resort

24 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: In a significant crackdown on wildlife crime, the Sabah Wildlife Department, in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), conducted a joint operation at a tourism resort in Semporna on 23 February 2026.

The operation, dubbed Khazanah, was launched following intelligence reports suggesting the illegal storage and preparation of wildlife for exotic dishes served to tourists.

During the raid, authorities uncovered and confiscated a live pangolin (Manis javanica), a species fully protected under Sabah’s wildlife laws. Several dishes believed to contain protected wildlife were also seized. Multiple individuals were detained at the scene to assist ongoing investigations under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.

The pangolin is classified as a Schedule I protected species, and no licences or permits have been issued for its possession, storage, sale, or preparation as food in any premises, including tourism establishments. Offenders could face penalties of between RM50,000 and RM250,000, along with imprisonment ranging from one to five years.

The Sabah Wildlife Department has expressed its serious concern over the illegal preparation of protected wildlife as exotic cuisine, emphasising that such activities not only breach the law but also tarnish Sabah’s reputation as a responsible ecotourism destination. The Department has issued a stern warning that enforcement efforts will be intensified against any tourism premises involved in wildlife offences.

The Department reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Sabah’s rich biodiversity and ensuring compliance with wildlife protection laws.-Anna Vivienne