By: Zaki Salleh
TAIPING: The Secretariat for Solidarity for Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK) today submitted a memorandum on the welfare of three Malaysian elephants kept at Tennoji Zoo to a representative of the Majlis Perbandaran Taiping at Dataran Zoo Taiping.
The memorandum was led by MCA Youth Information Chief Neow Choo Seong, who expressed concerns over the future welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat in Japan.
He said the memorandum outlined five key demands to ensure the well-being of the elephants continues to be protected.
Among the proposals is the establishment of a National Special Task Force involving ministries, government agencies, veterinary experts, NGOs and civil society representatives.
The secretariat also proposed an independent assessment mission to Japan to professionally and transparently evaluate the actual condition of the three elephants.
In addition, they called for the disclosure of the 25-year elephant transfer agreement between Zoo Taiping & Night Safari and Tennoji Zoo.
The memorandum further urged the government to review policies on wildlife transfers abroad and strengthen the Wildlife Conservation Act in line with international standards.
The group also called for a contingency plan to be prepared to bring the elephants back should their welfare be found to be unsatisfactory.
Neow stressed that the memorandum was not intended to blame any party or create diplomatic tension.
Instead, he said it was a message centred on responsibility, transparency and humane values in ensuring animal welfare is safeguarded.
He added that the issue was not political in nature, but concerned the right of animals to live in proper and secure conditions.
The Secretariat for Solidarity for DAK hopes the Malaysian government will give serious attention and take immediate action to ensure the future of Dara, Amoi and Kelat remains protected.
