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SHAH ALAM – Campaign secretariat coordinator Neow Choo Seong says the campaign to bring home three Malaysian elephants currently housed in Japan is far from over, despite the lack of concrete action from the government so far.
Neow said he remains committed to advocating for the welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), adding that the issue should be openly discussed in Parliament and among the public.
"At this point, we still don't know whether they are coming back home soon because the government has not taken any action yet.
"But personally, we cannot give up. I have completed the 250km run and the message has been delivered to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
“We hope this matter can be discussed in Parliament and that the government allows it to be debated openly," he said on the sidelines of the Sinar Daily Sports Matters football fever podcast today,
Neow, who is also Barisan Nasional Youth communications director, said Malaysians deserve to know what plans, if any, the government has regarding the future of the three elephants.
"The people are waiting. The people want to know more about the government's efforts or plans to repatriate DAK, especially when it has been proven that they were inappropriately transferred to Japan," he added.
He noted that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigation into the matter is ongoing, but stressed that authorities should not adopt a "wait-and-see" approach.
"We know investigations take time, but the elephants are going through difficult and uncomfortable situations every day.
"While the investigation is ongoing and discrepancies have been identified, we hope the government will be more proactive and send our own experts to conduct forensic audits in Japan," he said.
Asked about future efforts to keep the issue in the public spotlight, Neow said the campaign would continue through advocacy and awareness initiatives.
"If the government remains stubborn and Parliament is not allowed to discuss the matter, then we will think of other methods to make more people aware of this issue," he said.
Neow also called for a broader review of Malaysia's wildlife protection laws, saying the issue extends beyond the three elephants.
"I hope that not only Dara, Amoi and Kelat, but also other Malaysian elephants kept in foreign zoos, can be brought back if it is proven that their conditions are not suitable or conducive.
"It is also timely for the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry to review and strengthen our existing Wildlife Conservation Act, especially concerning wildlife trading. For whatever reasons, we need to protect our endangered wildlife," he said.
Dara, Amoi and Kelat were transferred from Malaysia to Japan's Tennoji Zoo in Osaka in 2012 under what was described as a conservation and diplomatic arrangement.
However, concerns over their welfare have resurfaced in recent years following reports and allegations regarding their living conditions and whether the transfer complied with proper procedures.
The issue gained renewed attention after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed it was investigating alleged irregularities surrounding the transfer of the elephants to Japan.
The Solidariti Bersama DAK Secretariat, led by Neow, has since launched a series of advocacy initiatives, including a 290km solo run from Taiping to Parliament, to push for greater transparency and to explore the possibility of repatriating the elephants back to Malaysia.
Animal welfare groups and conservationists have argued that any decision involving the elephants should prioritise their long-term wellbeing and quality of life, while also prompting a broader conversation on Malaysia's policies governing wildlife transfers and conservation.
