Terengganu State Parks Management Council, in collaboration with Panthera Malaysia and WCS Viet Nam, organised the Malaysia–Vietnam Bilateral Workshop on Combating Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking at Raia Hotel, Kuala Terengganu from 28-30 September 2026. The workshop was officially inaugurated by YBhg. Dato’ Tun Ahmad Faisal bin Tun Abdul Razak, Director of the Terengganu State Parks Management Council.
Particiapants attended the workshop, Malaysia, September 2026
The workshop brought together officers from various government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at both the state and federal levels. Nine (9) delegates from Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, also participated in the workshop to discuss issues relating to wildlife poaching and trafficking, illegal harvesting of forest resources, as well as the encroachment of protected areas and Permanent Reserved Forests by Vietnamese nationals in Malaysia.
In his opening remarks, YBhg. Dato’ Director emphasised that Malaysia takes seriously the involvement of individuals from Vietnam in illegal wildlife poaching and encroachment of protected areas in the country. He stressed that any individual entering Malaysia with the intention of engaging in unlawful activities, including wildlife poaching, encroachment into Permanent Reserved Forests, reserves or protected areas, and illegal harvesting of forest resources, should be prepared to face enforcement action under Malaysian laws.
YBhg. Dato’ Director also called upon the relevant authorities and agencies in Vietnam, particularly in Quang Tri Province, to play an active role in raising awareness and preventing their nationals from becoming involved in or travelling to Malaysia with the intention of carrying out illegal activities. Such efforts are important in helping to disrupt the wildlife and forest resource crime chain before such activities take place.
Participant from Quang Tri Province, Viet Nam shared, Malaysia, September 2026.
At the conclusion of the discussions, representatives of the Malaysian agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination among agencies at both the state and federal levels, while building stronger networks of cooperation with Vietnamese authorities and strategic partners. This will facilitate information sharing, enable risks to be identified at an earlier stage, and support appropriate action to safeguard Malaysia’s natural heritage and biodiversity.