By Zaki Salleh
GERIK: Temenggor State Assemblyman (ADUN) Dato’ Salbiah Mohamed has called for the construction of the Perak Elephant Sanctuary Centre (PES) in Gerik to be expedited to address the growing human-elephant conflict in the Hulu Perak area.
She made the call after personally observing an operation by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) to capture and relocate wild elephants in Bandariang recently.
The matter was shared through her official Facebook page.
According to Salbiah, witnessing the operation firsthand provided a clear picture of the challenges faced by residents when wild elephants enter villages and agricultural areas, threatening public safety and damaging livelihoods.
She also expressed her appreciation to PERHILITAN, the security forces, relevant agencies, and residents for their cooperation throughout the operation.
Salbiah described the management and relocation of wild elephants as a highly demanding task that requires expertise, patience, and strong commitment to ensure public safety while safeguarding the welfare of the animals.
She expressed hope that the construction of the Perak Elephant Sanctuary Centre, which has now entered the implementation phase, would proceed smoothly as planned.
According to her, the facility is crucial as a long-term solution to reduce human-elephant conflicts while strengthening wildlife conservation efforts in the state.
She stressed that the issue cannot be resolved overnight but requires continuous cooperation from all stakeholders and a balanced approach that takes into account development, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.
“With a shared commitment, we can find better solutions to ensure the safety of the people while preserving our natural heritage for future generations,” she said.
