Maluku BKSDA Seizes 35 Sanigi Plants at Ambon Port

Ambon (ANTARA) — The Maluku Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has seized 35 individual Sanigi plants (Pempis acidula) without valid documentation at Slamet Riyadi Port in Ambon.

“The plants were discovered by sea port post officers during an inspection of KM Santika 77B, which was docked at the time. The Sanigi specimens were packed in six parcels and were not accompanied by official wildlife and plant distribution documents,” said Maluku BKSDA Forestry Police officer Arga Chrystan in Ambon on Monday.

According to passenger statements, all of the Sanigi plants were known to have originated from Kisar Port. Officers subsequently provided awareness guidance to the owner of the goods regarding regulations governing the distribution of wildlife and plants in accordance with prevailing legislation.

The agency will continue to tighten surveillance at entry and exit points across the region to prevent the illegal distribution of wildlife and plants.

The transportation and distribution of protected plants or those with restricted usage must be accompanied by official documentation from the authorised agency, he said. Without such documents, goods may be confiscated and perpetrators face sanctions under prevailing laws and regulations.

Surveillance at ports and other distribution routes will continue to be strengthened through coordination with relevant agencies, as a preventive measure to curb illegal trade practices that threaten the sustainability of coastal and small island ecosystems.

Under the provisions of Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, any person who intentionally captures, injures, kills, stores, possesses, keeps, transports, or trades in protected species (Article 21, paragraph 2, point a) faces a maximum prison sentence of five years and a maximum fine of Rp100 million (Article 40, paragraph 2).