WITH fewer than 200 Malayan tigers left in the country, the Malaysian icon could be at risk of extinction in five to 10 years if no “drastic extraordinary actions” are taken immediately to save the species, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.

“Realising this, the cabinet has come up with nine strategic conservation measures for the next 10 years,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Stepping up enforcement through rounds, conserving its natural habitat, setting up a National Tiger Conservation Task Force and a Wildlife Crime Bureau under the police and strengthening the wildlife forensic lab are among the strategic measures outlined by the Santubong MP.

He was responding to a question by Che Alias Hamid (Kemaman-PAS) on efforts taken in relation to the conservation of Malayan tigers.

Wan Junaidi was answering the question on behalf of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Takiyuddin Hassan, who was absent from the House after testing positive for Covid-19.

“It is hoped that these strategic measures will yield significant results in ensuring the survival of the Malayan tiger,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said logging has led to the encroachment of the tigers’ habitat.

“The problem is the way humans behave because the habitat of tigers is the wilderness. But we have issued licences for logging. Hence, tigers will leave their habitat and enter into human dwellings as the size of the forest has shrunk,” he said.

Wan Junaidi was responding to a supplementary question from Che Alias on what should be done to protect both humans and the animal when wildlife is found roaming in villages and human dwellings.

On the reduction in population, he said logging and hunting are some of the reasons.

“If we increase the roaming area of tiger (by conserving forests), it will not enter human dwellings,” he said.

“If you see the tiger in the village, don’t use a rifle or sword. Call Perhilitan (Wildlife and National Parks Department) for help. They have the expertise to handle this,” he said.

He said authorities are also working with zoos and universities to ensure the animal’s survival, conducting research for inbreeding and setting up conservation centres.

“We were successful in conserving tapir. We want to do the same for Malayan tigers,” he said. – November 11, 2021.