Kuala lumpur: The World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) has described the killing of a Malayan tiger in Johor, on Malaysia Day, as a national tragedy and shame, calling for offenders to face the full weight of the law without compromise.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, WWF-Malaysia senior conservation director Dr. Henry Chan stated that the discovery of the tiger carcass inside a car in Felda Tenggaroh, Mersing, and the arrest of three individuals linked to the case, was a tragic blow, especially as the species is critically endangered with fewer than 150 left in the wild.
Dr. Chan emphasized that the Malayan tiger is not only a critically endangered species but also a national icon. He described the act of snaring and gunning down the tiger on the day Malaysians celebrate the formation of their nation as tragic and shameful, calling it a crime against the ecosystem and the nation's spirit.
He pointed out that despite years of effort and sacrifice by conservationists and enforcement agencies, poachers continue to target the animal for short-term gain. Dr. Chan called the act of killing one of the fewer than 150 tigers left in Malaysia reckless and cruel, insisting that such crimes must be met with the full weight of the law, swiftly and without compromise.
Under the amended Wildlife Conservation Act 2022, those convicted of killing a Malayan tiger face fines of up to RM1 million and imprisonment of up to 15 years under Section 71. Dr. Chan urged authorities to fully enforce these penalties to send a clear message that Malaysia will not tolerate the slaughter of its national symbol.
He also noted that the Malayan tiger remains threatened by shrinking forests, loss of habitat, reduced prey base, and poaching, making the species dangerously vulnerable.
WWF-Malaysia expressed solidarity with other conservation groups, including RIMAU, WCS Malaysia, PELINDUNG, TRAFFIC, Panthera Malaysia, MYCAT, and the Malaysian Nature Society, alongside its corporate partner Maybank and donors, in demanding justice for the tiger.
Dr. Chan commended the swift action of Bukit Aman and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in apprehending the suspects and praised the public for providing information that led to the arrests. He highlighted the importance of public vigilance and reporting wildlife crime as essential to protecting Malaysia's pride, heritage, and future.
WWF-Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to work with enforcement authorities, government agencies, partners, and the public to strengthen efforts in combating wildlife crime.