Sabah CM: Zero tolerance for elephant killers in the state
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that stern action would be taken against anyone who kills elephants in the state.
In issuing the warning, he also urged the public not to harm elephants entering their lands and destroying crops.
“Instead, inform the Wildlife Department so that preventive measures could be taken and at the same time, look for ways to prevent the incident from happening again,” he said.
Shafie said this when met by reporters after presenting a land deed for 93-hectare Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary at Hilir Kinabatangan, from Saraya Co. Ltd, Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) of Japan and BCT Sabah to the Wildlife Department last night.
In his speech earlier, Shafie directed Sabah police commissioner to take firm action against individuals responsible for the recent elephant killing in Tawau.
He said the state government was serious about protecting wildlife and conserving the environment.
On the presentation of the land grant, Shafie called on more parties to work together with the state government in wildlife conservation programmes.
He said this would include oil palm plantation owners who should give back to the land by using parts of their proceeds towards wildlife conservation.
Bernama