TAIPING Municipal Council has strongly denied allegations that the transfer of three Malaysian elephants to Japan was conducted for commercial gain, insisting the long-term arrangement with Osaka’s Tennoji Zoo is purely an international zoological cooperation programme focused on conservation and animal welfare.
Council president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan said claims circulating on social media suggesting the agreement involved financial transactions or business interests were inaccurate and misleading.
“The term ‘B2B’ (business to business) does not reflect the true spirit of this agreement,” he said in a statement.
The clarification follows mounting criticism from activists and non-governmental organisations who have called for the return of the elephants — Dara, Amoi and Kelat — to Malaysia, alleging the animals are struggling to adapt to their new environment in Japan.
Mohamed Akmal stressed that the programme fully complies with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability’s Malaysian Zoo Standard Guidelines, as well as legal requirements under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
He said all approvals and documentation relating to the transfer were properly processed before the elephants were relocated to Japan under the 25-year agreement between Taiping Zoo & Night Safari and Tennoji Zoo, with the municipal council acting on behalf of the Malaysian zoo.
“Before the elephants were sent, MPT, Taiping Zoo and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) visited Osaka from Oct 6 to 10, 2022, to assess the existing facilities and identify the improvements needed by Tennoji Zoo,” he said.
According to Mohamed Akmal, the inspection visit formed part of a comprehensive evaluation process to ensure the receiving zoo met the necessary standards for the care and management of the elephants.
He added that all required procedures, including export applications, special permits and official responses to Japanese authorities, had received the necessary approvals prior to the transfer.
“MPT also wants to make it clear that animal welfare and well-being have always been our top priority in this programme. The Taiping Zoo will remain in regular contact with Tennoji Zoo and other relevant agencies to obtain the latest updates,” he said.
He also said the council was prepared to cooperate fully with any review or investigation by enforcement agencies, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, should further scrutiny of the programme be required.
The three elephants are currently housed at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka under the bilateral cooperation agreement, which Malaysian authorities maintain was established to strengthen conservation collaboration and zoological exchange between the two institutions.
The controversy surrounding the transfer has intensified in recent weeks after advocacy groups questioned the suitability of the elephants’ living conditions in Japan and urged the federal government to facilitate their return to Malaysia. - May 9, 2026
