A woman suspected of acting as a “mule” to smuggle four siamang gibbons worth RM120,000 through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 was arrested on Saturday (28 February).
The arrest was carried out by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in cooperation with the Aviation Security Division (AVSEC).
Perhilitan Director-General Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the detention followed a baggage inspection for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tiruchirapally, India.
“The inspection, conducted at around 10:50 PM, found four animals believed to be siamang inside the luggage.”
“The 39‑year‑old local woman was then detained and brought to the Perhilitan KLIA Office for further action,” he told Sinar Harian.
He added that initial investigations found the woman was suspected to be a paid mule tasked with transporting the wildlife.
“The case is still under investigation, including identifying the amount she was paid and the source from which the siamangs were obtained,” he said.
The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686).
The siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) is a black-furred, tail-less primate found in the forests of Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra.
It is the largest species of gibbon, a type of “lesser ape” characterised by its throat pouch that inflates to amplify loud calls, and long arms used for moving through trees.
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