Shafie (2nd right) speaking to reporters at the press conference
KOTA KINABALU: The state government has identified areas to be gazetted for wildlife next year, just like what was being done in Africa, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said this is as part of an effort to protect forested areas and also ensure the survival of wild animals, especially those facing extinction, like the pygmy elephants of Sabah.
Shafie disclosed this yesterday after he was saddened over the death of Iman, the last surviving Sumatran rhinoceros in Malaysia, on Saturday.
He said the report on Iman’s death would be tabled at the state Cabinet meeting next week to discuss the next steps to be taken.
“The state government has done its best to treat Iman, as well as to harvest the egg cells of the last female rhino in the country.
“Unfortunately, Iman had cancer and she could not be saved. Her death is saddening,” he told reporters after presenting scrolls to graduates of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) at its convocation here yesterday.
In light of the tragedy, Shafie said the state continued to do its bit to preserve wildlife in Sabah, both flora and fauna.
“We have discussed this in cabinet. We as leaders must also look after the animals as well as the forests, and not just our people. We implore the public, especially those living in forest areas, animals may encroach on your property and eat or destroy your crops, but that is not a licence for you to kill or harm those animals. Engage with the authorities and we will take action. We can cooperate to take care of these animals.
“I have received information from Datuk Christina Liew (Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister) on the death of Iman, and the cabinet will meet to discuss the way forward so that preservation is done not only for our forests, but wildlife as well. This will be the government’s agenda,” he said.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of educating the people on top of a system providing laws, to ensure people and wildlife could co-exist.
“It’s not the way for them to just kill and harm animals,” said Shafie.
He added that the government would dissolve more forest reserve areas next year in order to gazette those areas as villages, especially those with residents who have been there for decades and live peacefully with animals in the area.
“There’s no reason the government cannot gazette those lands, especially villages like in Ranau or Tongod which have been around for over 50 or 60 years. The people have lived there for a long time but have no qualms with wildlife in that area. However, people also need to understand that not all land would be gazetted as villages and given to the people, especially with wildlife in those parts,” said Shafie.
He was referring to a plot of land purchased by a Japanese investor and given to the state government, to be declared as a wildlife corridor.
Relevant authorities should work together to ensure the area would be maintained for the animals, Shafie stressed, adding that the location for the corridor had already been identified. However, an official announcement has yet to be made.
Shafie went on to say that the wildlife corridor could also serve as a tourist attraction, to diversify tourism products in Sabah.