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Thursday, August 1, 2019

Stonewalled five years ago, Zairil welcomes fresh MACC probe into Zoo Negara



Penang state exco Zairil Khir Johari has welcomed MACC's decision to look into claims of Zoo Negara's alleged shortage of funds which is holding back its progress.
Last week, the New Straits Times quoted MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya as saying she had read news reports about the matter which reeked of possible corruption.
In November 2014, Zairil, who was then Bukit Bendera MP, raised the matter in Parliament and called for an investigation into the alleged corruption and maladministration as well as claims of deplorable animal welfare issues plaguing Zoo Negara.
According to him, the zoo had “not seen an experienced zoologist in over a decade” and visitors “would be disappointed with the horrible state the animals are in.”
In that month Zairil stated that reports were lodged against the management of the zoo with the MACC, alleging corruption and maladministration.
According to a written reply in Parliament on Nov 4, 2014, then minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low confirmed the existence of MACC reports but said it was “currently being verified.”
Zairil, who is now Penang state exco for Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation, said that he never received proper answers to his questions.
“MACC and the BN government did not want to prioritise it, I suppose. I don’t know why for sure because I never got a satisfactory reply from the federal government.”
“I take a personal interest in this as my late father (Khir Johari) was president of the zoo for many years, during its height,” he told Malaysiakini today.
In a letter to Malaysiakini on Nov 20, 2014, soon after Zairil raised the matter, Zoo Negara's public affairs department said: “Following the reports to MACC, Zoo Negara has been visited multiple times by MACC for inspection and investigation. However, after thorough investigations, it can be concluded by MACC that the said matter is only caused by false allegations.”
Source: Ministry still skeptical
However, a source from the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry told Malaysiakini today that while Zoo Negara is pushing hard for additional funding, there was reason for the ministry to be skeptical.
“Zoo Negara seems to be desperately asking for more cash influx from the Pakatan Harapan administration but privately we are not convinced by the explanations of how the zoo has been operating all these years,” said the source on condition of anonymity.
Zoo Negara was established in 1963 on 110 acres of land in Ulu Klang, Kuala Lumpur. It started out with 89 species of exhibits and has grown to house more than 4,000 specimens from over 200 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
On May 30 this year, Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly Rahmat Amat Lana said Zoo Negara was in the midst of upgrading and improving the infrastructure in phases.
"We have planned various things including the Reptile House, Petting Zoo, Water Theme Park, and most importantly, changing the concept of the zoo into an open zoo, where animal confinements are being replaced with special mirrors,” he said.
He highlighted then that his team of experts was led by the director of Zoology, Veterinary Hospital and Giant Panda Conservation Centre Dr Mat Naim Ramli.
Malaysiakini has contacted Rosly for comments into the latest probe. - Mkini

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