IPOH, May 9 — There are absolutely no commercial elements in the agreement between Taiping Zoo & Night Safari and Japan’s Tennoji Zoo in Osaka involving the three Malaysian elephants known as Dara, Amoi and Kelat.

Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan clarified that the agreement is strictly zoo-to-zoo and not a business transaction, contrary to allegations by some parties.

“The term ‘B2B’ (business to business) does not reflect the true spirit of this agreement,” he said in a statement today.

He clarified that the international cooperation programme complies with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Malaysian Zoo Standard Guidelines, countering viral accusations on social media, including claims of payments to the zoo and local council, and alleged non-compliance with existing laws.

He also highlighted that the agreement has undergone approval processes in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

“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.

He added that all relevant documentation, such as special permits, export applications, and responses to Japanese authorities, had been properly approved before the elephants were transported.

“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 added that the council is ready to cooperate with authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), should any further review or investigation into the programme be required.

The elephants are currently housed at Tennoji Zoo under a 25-year international cooperation agreement between the two zoos, with MPT acting as the representative for Taiping Zoo.

Local media previously reported that a group of activists and non-governmental organisations had urged the government to bring the elephants back to Malaysia, alleging the animals are suffering and ill-suited to the zoo’s environment. — Bernama

IPOH, May 8 — A 28-year-old fireman was charged at the Sessions Court here today with seven counts of sexual offences involving a 14-year-old boarding school student in Parit, Perak.

Muhammad Aidilafifi Muhammad claimed trial before judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason, several local news outlets including The Star and the New Straits Times reported.

He is also accused of committing the offences at multiple locations between February and May 1.

The charges are framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable with a maximum jail term of up to 20 years and whipping.

Muhammad Aidilafifi is also facing a separate charge for possessing an obscene image of the teenage girl.

The court set bail at RM9,000 for all charges with additional conditions, including monthly police reporting and a prohibition on contacting the victim or witnesses.

 

IPOH, May 8 — An elderly man was killed while his wife was injured after they were allegedly assaulted with a hard object during a robbery at a house along Jalan Melayu, Ayer Tawar near Sitiawan, yesterday.

Manjung police chief ACP Hasbullah Abd Rahman said police received a call from a member of the public at about 5.30am informing them of the robbery.

“The elderly couple were attacked by a man, causing both victims to suffer serious injuries after being struck with a hard object.

“The suspect fled after taking two mobile phones and the victims’ wallets. Neighbours who heard the commotion came to assist the victims and took them to Seri Manjung Hospital for treatment,” he said in a statement today.

Hasbullah said the 84-year-old male victim was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

He said police intelligence and investigations led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male suspect, who has seven previous criminal records, at about 7.45pm yesterday.

He said the suspect has been remanded for seven days, from today, to assist investigations under Sections 302 and 394 of the Penal Code.

“Witnesses or members of the public with any information related to the incident are urged to contact the Manjung district police headquarters operations room at 05-688 6222 or WhatsApp at 017-682 8005 to assist in investigations,” he said. — Bernama

IPOH, May 6 — A man was killed after the car he was driving skidded before being pierced by a guardrail in an accident at Kilometre 295.5 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) southbound, near Gopeng, yesterday afternoon.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations, Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad, said the department received an emergency call at 4.29 pm, after which a team from the Simpang Pulai Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the scene.

“The accident involved a Perodua Axia and a Perodua Myvi. The deceased has been identified as Mohd Iqhbal Afiq Abd Ghafar, 37, the driver of the Perodua Axia.

“The victim was pinned inside the vehicle after the guardrail pierced through the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Ministry of Health (MOH) medical officers,” he said in a statement.

Sabarodzi added that also in the Perodua Axia were the victim’s wife, his two daughters and a niece. All four sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital, while the driver of the Perodua Myvi escaped unhurt.

“The rescue team conducted an extrication operation using hydraulic equipment to remove the pinned victim.

“The operations commander sized up (the situation) at the location before applying the SAVER (Systematic Approach to Victim Entrapment Rescue) concept, directing personnel to carry out the rescue work until the victim was successfully extricated,” he said.

Sabarodzi said the body was handed over to the police for further action. The operation was brought under control at 5.25 pm and concluded at 6.46 pm. — Bernama

IPOH, May 6 — Police have arrested a local man suspected of stealing cables belonging to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) along the railway track at Kilometre 181.9 near Jalan Tun Perak Monday.

Ipoh District Police chief ACP Muhammad Najib Hamzah said the arrest at 4.30 pm was carried out by KTMB auxiliary police together with personnel from the Ipoh District Police Headquarters (IPD) during a patrol.

“The suspect acted aggressively and attempted to flee, but was successfully apprehended. Police also seized a plastic bag containing three rolls of cable believed to belong to KTMB.

“A urine test on the suspect returned positive for methamphetamine and checks revealed he has seven criminal records and 15 drug-related records,” he said in a statement today.

He said the 39-year-old suspect had been remanded for three days to assist investigations under Section 66 of the Railways Act 1991. — Bernama