Siti Hasmah leads charge to save Malayan tiger
Mohamad Fadli
-July 28, 2019 8:31 PM
Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali (third from right) calls for greater efforts to save the Malayan tiger. On her left is Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.PUTRAJAYA: The prime minister’s wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, has made an urgent appeal to the government, the private sector and citizens to work together to protect and support conservation efforts of the endangered Malayan tiger.
The patron for the “Save the Malayan Tiger” campaign believed all stakeholders had a role to play in ensuring the continuation of the species. It is believed that there are fewer than 200 Malayan tigers left in the country.
“Because of our own greed, we may not be able to continue seeing these animals created by God if they go extinct,” she said in her speech in conjunction with the Global Tiger Day 2019 and the launch of the “Save the Malayan Tiger” campaign for 2019-2020.
“This species is only found in Peninsular Malaysia and if we don’t work together with other agencies, they will become extinct. Then, they will only be seen as symbols on logos and T-shirts.”
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar were present at the launch.
In her speech, Siti Hasmah revealed that she had always wanted to hug a tiger.
She announced the names for three tiger cubs under the care of Zoo Negara — Wira, Hebat and Melur.
“Even these tiger cubs are already grown. They are three months old but already three feet wide.
“I was unable to hug them because as soon as they saw me, they started howling!”
The Malayan tiger is seen as a sub-species of Panthera tigris because of its unique genetic make-up compared with other Asian tigers. They are classed as “critically endangered” under the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Xavier, in his speech, said the decrease in population of the Malayan tiger is caused by a reduction in habitat areas, displacement due to the opening-up of forest land and land-use changes.
He added that the species was also a a target of hunting activities and illegal trade due to high demand on the black market.
Xavier said his ministry had set up a “Save the Malayan Tiger” fund for companies and individuals. So far, the fund has collected RM1.34 million.
He thanked Yayasan Al-Bukhary, Berjaya Corporation, Ranhill Holdings, AEON, KLIATV, students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru Sungai Long, Selangor, and students of KDU University College for their contributions.
“I hope many more would come forward to help in the campaign.”
Xavier also announced a collaborative enforcement operation between Perhilitan and the police to fight encroachers and illegal hunting.
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