Sabah Wildlife probing restaurant that served turtle eggs to Umno minister

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, together with Beluran Umno division chief Datuk James Ratib and Sandakan municipal council deputy president Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain at an event at which turtle eggs were served. The restaurant is currently under investigation. – Facebook pic, November 5, 2015.

The Sabah Wildlife Department is investigating the restaurant believed to have served turtle eggs at a recent event attended by a federal minister and state local officials in Sandakan, department director William Baya said today.

"We are in the midst of investigating the restaurant. We are still investigating. No further comment," he said.

William was reported saying yesterday that department officers would be questioning the operators of the seafood restaurant as well as the event organisers to find out how turtle eggs had become part of the menu.

A photograph of Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, together with Beluran Umno division chief Datuk James Ratib and Sandakan municipal council deputy president Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain which shows them seated at a table with turtle eggs and lobsters in front of them has gone viral on social media.

Ismail Sabri has said he did not consume any of the eggs during the dinner due to his high cholesterol level. 

Sabah leader Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is the state's tourism minister, meanwhile said the Sabah Wildlife Department had already begun an investigation into the case and that Ismail Sabri should not be blamed.

He said the federal minister was only a guest at the function.

The Star Online meanwhile said Beluran Umno leader Ratib had denied that turtle eggs were served during the dinner.

Asked what type of eggs were shown in the photos, James said, "I don’t know," according to the online news portal.

The Star Online also reported a group of non-governmental and research organisations saying they were shocked upon seeing the photograph.

They said the Sabah Wildlife Department must take action to send a strong message against consumption of protected species and their products.

Turtles are protected under the Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997.

It is considered an offence to harvest, sell or consume turtle eggs in the state and those convicted are liable to a fine of RM50,000 or five years' imprisonment or both.

- TMI