KOTA KINABALU, April 29 — Sabah will not allow unlicensed crocodile hunting despite rising human-wildlife conflict, with the state government warning that such a move would breach existing laws and risk damaging fragile ecosystems.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Jafry Ariffin said proposals to permit open hunting cannot be considered, stressing that regulation — not deregulation — is key to managing crocodile populations.

“As such, the government cannot consider proposals to allow unlicensed hunting at this time, as it would contravene existing laws and could jeopardise ecosystem sustainability,” he told the State Legislative Assembly.

Crocodiles in Sabah — specifically the saltwater species Crocodylus porosus — are protected under state law and also regulated internationally through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

While Sabah and Sarawak are allowed controlled farming and trade under Appendix II, Jafry said this does not justify unregulated hunting in the wild even with increasing conflict.

The policy comes amid growing concern over crocodile attacks in the state, with 11 fatalities and three injuries recorded in 2025.

Many of the incidents occurred in oil palm plantation areas, particularly during fishing activities.

Sabah maintains a licensing system to control both hunting and the trade of crocodile products, including skins and meat.

The framework is aimed at preventing unchecked exploitation while curbing illegal sales, which authorities say are still taking place on social media and digital platforms.

Jafry said enforcement and structured management remain the most effective approach.

Recently, Lamag assemblyman Mohd Ismail Ayob said the proposal should be seriously considered, particularly in critical situations that threaten the lives of residents along the Kinabatangan River to address growing safety concerns.

He noted that the Kinabatangan River is not only renowned for its natural beauty and biodiversity, but also serves as a vital transport route and daily source of livelihood, especially for local fishermen.

“However, the presence of crocodiles in the river also poses significant safety risks to the local community.

As a control measure, the state offers permits to hunt crocodiles, conducts public awareness campaigns, installs warning signboards in high-risk areas, and carries out scientific studies and pilot programmes in hotspots such as Kinabatangan.

Jafry acknowledged growing unease in some districts, where rivers have effectively become off-limits due to crocodile presence, affecting daily activities and even emergency response operations.

However, he maintained that existing standard operating procedures — including targeted hunting through licensed operators — are sufficient if properly enforced.

Beyond crocodiles, the state is also grappling with human-elephant conflict, which has resulted in fatalities and crop destruction in rural areas. Authorities have introduced mitigation steps such as GPS tracking of elephant movements, electric fencing in hotspot areas, and community-based response teams.

JAKARTA, April 29 — Indonesian military prosecutors charged four officerson Wednesday for their alleged involvement in an acid attack on an activist known for campaigning against the ‌expanding public role of the armed forces, seeking a maximum sentence of 12 years ​in prison.

Andrie Yunus, a deputy coordinator with the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, a rights group also known as KontraS, suffered burns to 20 per cent of his face and body from acid thrown by assailants ​on a motorcycle on March 12.

The attack, which left Andrie permanently scarred and his right eye heavily damaged, drew local and international condemnation.

The four officers were charged under Indonesia’s criminal code with serious premeditated assault, carrying a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison, court documents showed.

Mohammad Iswadi, a military prosecutor, said during the hearing at a military ‌court that the four officers from the military’s intelligence unit allegedly attacked Andrie because they felt affronted ⁠by his protest last year against legal changes allowing ⁠more military officers to be appointed to civilian government posts.

“With ⁠the incident, the suspects deemed Andrie ⁠Yunus to have insulted ⁠and stomped on the military as an institution,” he said, adding the alleged defendants used a mixture of car battery acid and rust remover when they attacked Andrie.

Reuters was not immediately able ⁠to contact any of the four officers, or their legal representatives. All four attended the hearing and their titles ranged from captain to second sergeant.

In a separate investigation, Indonesia’s top human rights watchdog,Komnas HAM, said there were at least 14 people linked to the attack.

“The attack could lead to fear among civilians to criticise government officials,” it said.

The watchdog said the fact ⁠that Andrie’s case is being handled by the military court shows a lack of public participation and could mean the officers will be treated more leniently.

It also urged ⁠police to investigate the other 10 people allegedly linked to the attack in civilian courts.

Concern about ⁠the erosion ⁠of democratic values has grown in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, with the military’s involvement in civilian areas and ​state-run businesses increasing significantly under the administration of President Prabowo ​Subianto, a retired general.

Shortly before the attack, ‌Andrie had recorded a podcast episode on the subject of the ​military’s expanding powers.

Prabowo said last ​month that the attack on Andrie was an act of “terrorism,” and pledged a thorough investigation. — Reuters