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 p...