KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Christina Liew has issued an emotional plea to villagers to come forward with any information related to the recent spate of Borneo pygmy elephant killings in Tawau.
Describing such killings as “murder”, the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said the perpetrators must be brought to justice as such cruelty must not go unpunished.
“I have spoken to the Wildlife Department director. Despite our efforts, we have not been able to identify the person responsible for this cruel act, although there are some suspicions,” she told reporters at the Asean Travel Exchange 2025 launch here yesterday.
“We offered RM10,000 for any information but so far, no one has come forward. I have clearly told the department that these acts cannot go unpunished.
“Killing an elephant is murder. We absolutely cannot allow this to happen,” Liew said.
At least three cases of beheaded elephants were reported between January and April.
Investigations so far have yielded no solid evidence, and a post-mortem was not possible in the latest case due to the advanced decomposition of the carcass.
She believes the local community may hold the key to solving the killings but many are afraid to speak up.
“We are working with village heads and the district police in the area to try and obtain more information. I suspect the kampung people know but they are very hesitant to say anything. Still, I am hopeful,” she said.
Liew dismissed a theory that a crime syndicate could be behind the killings.
“I don’t believe it is a syndicate. They did not take anything valuable; not the tusks, not the organs. They just cruelly chopped off the elephant’s head. Very cruel.”
On whether the government would consider increasing the RM10,000 reward, she replied: “Let’s negotiate on that.”
“There have been no new incidents recently, and I truly hope it stays that way. I get very upset when these things happen. I am an animal lover and I cannot bear to see this kind of cruelty,” she said.
The Borneo pygmy elephant, which is native to Sabah, is a fully protected species under state law, with an estimated population of just 1,500.
Anyone convicted of harming or killing the animal faces a fine of up to RM250,000 and a five-year jail sentence.
