ELEPHANT DEATHS A WAKE-UP CALL

SAD....Geoffrey with his assistant Lee Chye Ewe (left) at the press conference.

TAWAU : The government should treat the deaths of the 14 endangered Bornean Pygmy elephants as a ‘wake-up call’ for continuous protection of the wildlife and the interest of smallholders rather than just focusing on a cash reward of RM10,000 for information leading to the elephant killers.

Former Tawau member of parliament, Datuk Geoffrey Yee Lung Fook said the government should take it as a lesson in protecting the endangered elephants well.

At the same time, the government must often listen and understand the voices of the farmers and smallholders in Sabah whose agricultural products are frequently destroyed by elephants.

Although it was a sad and cruel tragedy, Geoffrey said the government should have the responsibility of considering the problems and consequences faced by the farmers and smallholders throughout the state.

They are the victims whose oil palm estates were almost destroyed by elephants.

“Today, the government is not taking into account the great loss of the smallholders and farmers as well as taking up their initiatives in implementing effective wildlife protection methods, but doing the reverse by offering a cash reward of RM10,000 for information leading to successful conviction of the culprits.

“Why doesn’t the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) Sabah fully utilize the cash money for protecting the wildlife well and taking care of the interests of the smallholders and farmers.

“In fact, the government is encouraging the growth of agriculture sector especially in oil palm plantation development which tends to boost up the economy of Sabah.

“Therefore, the government should have proper methods in monitoring and protecting the elephants from destroying agricultural products of the smallholders and farmers throughout the state,” Geoffrey pointed out at a press conference here yesterday morning.

According to him, the elephants are valuable wildlife for the benefit of our future generation and sustaining tourism growth in Sabah.

The government should also be responsible in educating the people on wildlife protection measures from time to time. (BP)