KUALA LUMPUR – The government is fully committed to saving the Malayan tiger, the country’s native animal species currently on the brink of extinction, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In a statement, Ismail warned that the species would be lost for good if no immediate action is taken to protect the apex predator, which is currently reported to number less than 150 in the wild.
“The government is serious about addressing the population issue of the Malayan tiger in our forests,” he said today.
“Among others, this is caused by the loss of habitat and food sources due to the shift in land usage, hunting, and illegal wildlife trade, as well as the transmission of the canine distemper virus.
“If no instant action is taken, Malaysia faces the risk of extinction of the Malayan tiger, which has become the symbol in our coat of arms, emblems of the states, ministries, departments and agencies.”
To prove the government’s seriousness in dealing with the issue, Ismail Sabri noted that the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 was amended in Parliament on December 21 last year to give authorities more bite in the conservation of wildlife.
This includes increasing the maximum fine to RM1 million and the prison sentence up to 15 years for wildlife criminals, while a new provision was also introduced to allow action against individuals who advertise the sale of these animals online.
The prime minister’s statement today was issued after he chaired the first meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Task Force (MyTTF) today, which discussed strategic measures taken by the country in the conservation of the Malayan tiger.
The meeting was attended by, among others, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, several menteris besar and state executive councillors as well as other representatives of agencies.
The Malayan tiger is a totally protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act and is classified as critically endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List for Threatened Species.
According to Ismail Sabri, today’s meeting also agreed to proceed with the Malayan Tiger Strategic Conservation Plan (2021-2030) through six approaches, including having boots on the ground, involving the Wildlife and National Parks Department, police, army and Orang Asli community.
Other measures to be taken include the strengthening and conservation of habitats through managing sustainable land use and stopping all forms of illegal hunting and infringement activities, and increasingly expanding existing forested area on the peninsula from 43.41% to 50% by 2040. – The Vibes, January 10, 2022
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