KUALA LUMPUR, 19 July 2016 – In a bid to eradicate tiger poaching activities in Taman Negara, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) is joining forces with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to enhance enforcement and patrolling activities.

More than six decades ago, the Malayan Tiger, one of the six remaining tiger subspecies in the world, found only in Peninsular Malaysia, was estimated to be around 3,000 in numbers. However, according to recent statistics from the WWF Malaysia, it was estimated that there are only 200 to 340 individuals left in the country now.

In a conscious effort to increase protection in the wild for the Malayan Tiger, a national symbol that is critically endangered in the IUCN Red List, YSD is funding RM225,000 for a year until September 2017, for PERHILITAN’s enforcement operations to eradicate poaching. This will cover 15 enforcement activities, four full 10-day operations by PERHILITAN headquarters and 11 small scale operations by state PERHILITAN officers in Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu.

The alarming number of poachers entering Taman Negara, fuelled by the rising demand for tiger parts in the black market, highlights the urgent need for increased enforcement activities and patrolling. A memorandum by WWF-Malaysia and TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, cited poaching as “the most immediate threat to the survival of wild tigers”. It was reported that between 2010 and 2011, close to 1,000 snares were detected in the three tiger priority landscapes namely, Belum-Temenggor, Taman Negara and Endau-Rompin forest complexes.

A mock cheque presentation ceremony to signify YSD’s new partnership with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) was held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre today. The event is also in conjunction with the International Tiger Day, which is held annually on July 29 to promote the protection and expansion of the wild tiger habitats and to raise awareness on tiger conservation.

Present at the ceremony were YSD Governing Council Members Ms Caroline Christine Russell and YSD CEO Hajjah Yatela Zainal Abidin while PERHILITAN was represented by the Deputy Director General 1, Encik Abdul Kadir bin Abu Hashim.

YSD Governing Council Member, Ms Caroline Christine Russell in her opening speech said, “The sharp decline in the tiger population in the country as compared to 60 years ago is of great concern. Their dwindling numbers signify that we may be on the edge of losing our iconic national symbol.”

“As a corporate foundation with prominent footing in the environmental conservation space, this new partnership will be YSD’s first project focusing on supporting enforcement activities in Peninsular Malaysia, which is important given the scale of poaching that has been threatening the survival of this critically endangered species.”

“Poaching is an on-going national issue that needs stronger law enforcements in order to deter this illicit activity and requires the collective effort from all parties to effectively fight this together.”

Meanwhile, PERHILITAN’s Encik Kadir bin Abu Hashim said: “We are very grateful to YSD for joining forces with us to save this iconic species from extinction. YSD’s support for our enforcement operations will ensure that our dedicated enforcement teams can continue to be deployed to the field especially to reach out to the most remote areas.”

“It is hoped through the increased patrolling and stricter enforcements, we will be able to continue to work towards eradicating illegal poaching in Taman Negara and increase the protection of the Malayan Tiger and other wildlife species,” Encik Kadir added.

YSD through its Environment pillar has been robust in its environmental conservation initiatives since 2009 with a total commitment of RM129 million to date, of which RM37 million has been channelled for projects in the Peninsular. YSD’s assistance covers the protection and preservation of vulnerable and endangered wildlife species under its “Big 9” programme consisting of the Malayan Sun Bear, Orangutan, Sunda Clouded Leopard, Asian Elephants, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Tiger, Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Banteng and Hornbill. Other areas of support include environmental research and postgraduate scholarships, reforestation and replanting initiatives as well as seascape conservation and community empowerment.