KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has found no evidence to support allegations that former Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad received RM53 million in bribes linked to the transfer of three elephants to Osaka, Japan, dealing a significant blow to claims that had sparked public scrutiny over the controversial arrangement.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman said investigators had uncovered no money trail, cash flow or suspicious transactions linking Nik Nazmi or any related company to the alleged bribery scheme involving the elephants Amoi, Dara and Kelat (DAK), which were transferred from Zoo Taiping to Zoo Tennoji in Osaka.
"Our investigation has found no evidence of any flow of funds or cash payments to the former minister or to any company linked to him," Abdul Halim told a press conference at the MACC headquarters today.
"Based on our findings so far, the allegation of a RM53 million bribe has no basis."
He said reviews of Cash Transaction Reports (CTR) and Suspicious Transaction Reports (STR) involving the Malaysian-appointed company responsible for the transfer and its owner found no suspicious transactions warranting further investigation.
"The CTR and STR reviews did not uncover any transactions that would trigger a deeper probe, and nothing significant emerged during the relevant period," he said.
However, Abdul Halim said financial reviews involving four suspects identified in the investigation had revealed several transactions that still require clarification through detailed analysis of bank records and money trails.
"Those four suspects remain under investigation because there are transactions that must be clarified through financial tracing and examination of bank accounts," he said.
He said the investigation is now in its final stages, with officers given one month to complete outstanding inquiries, including obtaining explanations from financial institutions regarding the transactions identified.
"Nearly three-quarters of the investigation has been completed. Once all outstanding matters are resolved and verified, we will decide whether to proceed with prosecution or close the case," he said.
To date, investigators have recorded statements from 19 witnesses and four suspects.
Preliminary findings indicate that the transfer of Dara, Amoi and Kelat was carried out under a memorandum of understanding between Zoo Taiping and Zoo Tennoji.
The MACC also established that the entire relocation cost was borne by Zoo Tennoji through its appointed company, with no financial contribution from the Malaysian government.
"Zoo Tennoji paid the appointed company US$1.48 million, or approximately RM6.39 million, to manage the transfer process," Abdul Halim said.
Investigators further found that the 25-year loan period for the three elephants was reasonable, taking into account the species' two-year gestation period and an estimated maximum of six births during that timeframe.
Abdul Halim also clarified that the temporary placement of the elephants at the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah before their departure to Japan was solely for crate-training to prepare them for air transport and was standard procedure.
The MACC launched the investigation following allegations of corruption and abuse of power linked to the elephant transfer carried out between 2021 and 2022.
The four individuals being investigated comprise a former civil servant, a serving civil servant and two company owners.
Nik Nazmi, who is also the former Setiawangsa MP, has consistently denied any involvement in wrongdoing, describing the allegations as baseless and welcoming a full investigation. — July 9, 2026
The post MACC clears Nik Nazmi of RM53m elephant transfer bribery allegation, probe continues into four suspects appeared first on Scoop.
