What You Should Know About Law Enforcement and Wildlife Crime in Sumatra

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Indonesia is an abundant nation in terms of natural resources, particularly biological resources, encompassing a wide range of plant and animal species. An act of wildlife crime that frequently takes place in Indonesia is the illicit trade of wildlife. Vulnerabilities in facilities and infrastructure, along with administrative deficiencies in the form of convoluted bureaucracy, might create opportunities for individuals engaged in illicit wildlife trafficking.

The justification for providing legal safeguards for endangered animals and the environment is rooted in the fact that wild animals, much like humans, are integral components of nature and the surrounding ecosystem. The law serves as a mechanism that offers safeguarding for all entities, encompassing animals and the environment, as its primary purpose is to shield society and enhance societal well-being.

Based on my empirical research, the ongoing prevalence of wildlife crime serves as evidence that law enforcement efforts to combat wildlife trafficking have not been fully effective, since illegal wildlife trading continues to proliferate on internet platforms.

Wasted NGO’s Money.

Several prominent NGOs have arisen due to the availability of substantial financial resources, but mostly they exhibit manipulative, corruptive, and secretive behavior. The combination of limited government resources and misappropriation of funds by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a significant challenge to attaining success.

“After accumulating over a decade of experience in conservation, I have made the decision to become financially independent. As an Indonesian citizen who relies on my livelihood in the field of ecotourism, I firmly believe that it is my inherent right to protect the well-being of myself and my staff. I am fully committed to preserving the lives of the animals that inhabit our environment in Leuser, Sumatra.” Bobi Handoko.

In accordance with the Indonesian Conservation Law, specifically “Undang-Undang Nomor 5 Tahun 1990 Tentang Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam dan Ekosistem Hayati,” engaging in activities such as hunting, harming, owning, killing, or selling protected species is deemed a violation. Inadequate law enforcement and a lack of comprehensive education will perpetuate the killing and trafficking of protected animals. In addition, the unregulated degradation of forests, which provide habitat for various animal species, remains unresolved.

The C13-led WCI (Wildlife Crime Investigation) has observed that each wildlife crime case is met with selective behavior in the course of law enforcement. The authorities are exclusively interested in cases that are deemed significant and not sufficiently humiliating to be disclosed to the public and media. Seriousness is the primary requirement for all officers in the field when enforcing the law, as evidenced by our field experience.

wildlife trade langkat

The online trade of protected species remains highly prevalent. Lenient sentences coupled with minimal penalties result in violators not perceiving the deterrent effect as a means of expressing remorse. The “hearts” of law enforcers often become lenient due to economic motives, age-related variables, and the presence of mafia networks among the culprits. Unfortunately, in the end, law enforcers fail to consider the ecological consequences of their illegal actions. Frequently, those who disregard the law express public sentiment by asserting that humans are jailed for possessing and exchanging animals.

Facebook is well-known for trading in protected animals. Private Facebook groups have evolved into trading hubs, with Rekber Raden Ayu serving as a platform for financial transactions. Starting in 2020, we identified Rekber Raden Ayu’s participation as a platform for conducting transactions involving unacountable protected species. Rekber is an intermediary agent who facilitates financial transactions, particularly payments. If both the buyer and seller meet the anticipated requirements, the transaction will proceed.

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