By Shalina R.
MP proposes action plans to resolve pygmy elephant deaths
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Chan Foong Hin has suggested three immediate action plans to resolve pygmy elephant deaths in Sabah.
“The real action is easy. One, identify the location of elephant deaths belong to whose concession area. Secondly, investigate any irregularities happen at the elephant death sites, for instance how is the mosaic planting carried out, what’s the actual size of area being logged and replanted,” he said.
“Thirdly, investigate why there is inaction by the current forestry officers.
“So I feel excited when CM instructed to take action,” he said.
Spurred by the yet-to-be established Borneon elephant deaths in the state early April and May 20, Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal has ordered the Sabah Wildlife Department to conduct a thorough probe and take the necessary appropriate action to stop further unnecessary endangerment on the state’s wildlife.
He also ordered Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew to immediately get a briefing on the situation and see how best to fast-track all necessary efforts to protect our wildlife.
Chan is thrilled that prospective plans to protect wildlife and forests will no longer be mere lip service in Sabah.
He lauded Shafie’s political will to go against the over rampant logging activities happening within the remote and isolated areas in Sabah, especially in the Yayasan Sabah forest reserves.
“This (rampant logging) is not a new issue. I have raised this up during my term as (Sri Tanjong) state assemblyman,” said Chan to the Borneo Post yesterday morning.
“Not only voice it out through press statements and assembly debates, but also by lodging MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) report in 2014. However, all my efforts (have been left) unattended,” added the Sabah DAP Secretary.
Chan also wants an investigation into past governmental inaction resulting in the ineffective protection of Sabah’s forests.
Dead elephants were found in our forests a few days ago. This is not the first time this has happened.
He claimed that in February 2013, two government-linked organizations had received a comprehensive internal report regarding the suspicious deaths of some 14 elephants at Gunung Rara Forest Reserve within the Yayasan Sabah timber concession area.
Chan elaborated, instead of pursuing investigation based on the report by the two organizations, a government official was instead removed and the government department concerned never followed up on the report.
“Something is desperately wrong. It has every hallmark of a cover up. What have they got to hide?” he questioned.
“I demand a thorough investigation into this,” Chan pressed.