IPOH, May 5 — Perak Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching met the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday to present the latest developments regarding the relocation of three elephants from Zoo Taiping & Night Safari to Tennoji Zoo in Japan.

Ng said the meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, discussed several key matters, with particular emphasis on the welfare of the three elephants, namely Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), as well as the importance of maintaining good diplomatic relations and honouring existing commitments and agreements.

“The public’s concern over this issue is greatly appreciated, and at the same time it is important for us to look at it comprehensively, based on facts and current developments.

“Emphasis was also placed on ensuring all relevant parties adopt a careful approach in every action, with priority given to animal welfare and continuous monitoring to ensure their condition remains at a good level,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.

She said any further developments would be shared from time to time by the relevant authorities.

The Prime Minister, in a Facebook post yesterday, stressed that the welfare of the three Malaysian elephants must be prioritised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES).

Anwar said any decision and action must be carried out based on facts while taking into account the best welfare of the elephants.

Prior to that, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said that DAK should be brought back to Malaysia from Japan if the implementation of the existing agreement is found to be no longer aligned with conservation principles, wildlife welfare and current sensitivities. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said he will hold a meeting with the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari in the near future to discuss issues related to three elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), currently at Tennoji Zoo, Japan.

He said the meeting aimed to obtain further clarification and examine the best steps to bring the mammals back following concerns raised by various parties regarding the welfare and survival of jumbos in that country which has four seasons.

“I, along with the Taiping Zoo authorities, will hold a discussion and meeting in the near future, even earlier than the meeting planned by the Perak state government.

“We are worried that something will happen to the elephants... we are working on bringing them back to Malaysia and we hope the people will support this effort because the voice of the people can influence a decision,” he told Bernama.

He said this after attending the recording of the Ruang Bicara programme, produced by Bernama TV at Wisma Bernama today.

Previously, Wan Rosdy urged that the three elephants be immediately brought back to their homeland and placed at the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Temerloh, which is more suitable for the habitat and natural needs of elephants.

The call follows the statement by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who emphasised that Dara, Amoi, and Kelat should be brought back to Malaysia from Japan if the implementation of the existing agreement is found to no longer align with conservation principles, wildlife welfare and current sensitivities.

Last Friday, Perak Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said that a meeting with stakeholders will be held this week to thoroughly discuss the issue of relocating the three elephants. — Bernama