Orang utan not to be gifted to trading countries, should remain in habitat, says Sarawak minister

Abdul Karim (second right) speaking at a press conference in Kuching after launching a tourism workshop.

KUCHING: Malaysia does not need to give orang utans as gifts to palm oil trading countries as these primates are better off in their natural habitat, says a Sarawak minister.

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he disagreed with the idea of "orang utan diplomacy".