Perhilitan To Set Up Task Force To Review Elephant Procession SOPs

PUTRAJAYA, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) Peninsular Malaysia will set up a special task force to review and improve laws and standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing elephant processions with relevant stakeholders, following public feedback over a viral video showing elephants being used at an event in Pasir Tumboh, Kelantan.

Its director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the matter would also be referred to the Integrity Unit of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) and the Governance Investigation Division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to help strengthen existing SOPs and procedures comprehensively.

“The department already has an SOP for the management of elephant processions dated Dec 31, 2016. On May 25, PERHILITAN received an application from the Kelantan Land and Mines Office to exhibit elephants and other wildlife during the MADANI Community Programme in Kampung Pasir Tumboh, Kota Bharu.

“The Special Permit Application Committee, which met on June 16, considered and approved the application based on the established SOPs,” he said in a statement today.

He said PERHILITAN had also carried out health checks on the elephants and selected those suitable for the programme in accordance with the SOPs, while welfare assessments were conducted before, during and after the event.

Abdul Kadir said PERHILITAN remains committed to protecting and conserving the country's wildlife and will continue improving its practices based on public feedback.

He also urged the public to share only verified and accurate information to avoid causing confusion.

Complaints can be lodged via the department's hotline at 1-800-88-5151 or through the Public Complaints Management System (SISPA) on PERHILITAN's official website at www.wildlife.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA