January 23, 2026
Local
Local
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — Two foreign nationals have become the first individuals in Malaysia to be charged in court for littering under the newly enforced anti-littering law, according to a report by The Star.
IPOH, March 13 — The Perak state government has assured that the welfare of three elephants from Taiping Zoo & Night Safari (ZTNS) that were sent to Japan will be carefully monitored to ensure their well-being.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the relocation of the elephants — Dara, Amoi and Kelat — to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka was the result of a collaboration that has been in discussion since 2022.
She explained that the Japanese zoo had shown interest in obtaining elephants from Malaysia, and the transfer was arranged through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in cooperation with the zoo’s management.
“Over the past few years, several discussions have taken place, including visits by Perhilitan officials to Osaka to evaluate the facilities and ensure they meet suitable standards.
“A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had also been signed earlier, paving the way for the relocation of the three elephants,” she said after attending the Perak Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Bubur Lambuk Iftar Ramadan distribution event at the Sultan Azlan Shah Roundabout in Meru Raya yesterday.
Ng added that the Taiping Municipal Council, which manages ZTNS, has confirmed that the elephants arrived safely in Osaka.
She said representatives from ZTNS are expected to visit the zoo around April to check on the elephants’ condition and sign a follow-up MoU as part of the ongoing cooperation between both parties.
According to Ng, the partnership will also include an animal exchange programme, with ZTNS set to receive animals from Tennoji Zoo following the elephants’ arrival.
She stressed that both ZTNS and Perhilitan have consistently placed animal welfare as a priority throughout the collaboration.
Earlier, concerns had been raised by netizens over the welfare of the elephants after news of their relocation to Japan surfaced. An online petition opposing the move also went viral, drawing more than 26,000 signatures as of Thursday. — Bernama
