ALOR GAJAH: The Biodiversity Protection and Patrol (BP3) programme, implemented by the government since 2019, is showing encouraging results, with Malaysia's Malayan tiger population increasing following intensified enforcement patrols and tougher action against poaching.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said monitoring conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), indicated positive developments for the country's iconic species, with updated population figures expected to be announced soon.
"The number of arrests has increased. Some cases have gone to court, and this has significantly strengthened our efforts to curb illegal activities that threaten the Malayan tiger population.
"Over the past few years, our conservation efforts have produced encouraging results, with the Malayan tiger population showing an upward trend," he told reporters after officiating the World Tiger Day 2026 celebration here on Friday (July 24).
Arthur said the progress was achieved through the implementation of nine strategic conservation actions under the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan 2021-2030, which focuses on halting the species' decline, strengthening conservation governance, and ensuring its long-term survival.
As of July this year, he said the BP3 programme had covered approximately 60 per cent of key wildlife habitats in Peninsular Malaysia, spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometres.
"Seven series of ‘Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah’ conducted this year led to the removal of 29 snares, the discovery of 47 illegal campsites, and the detection of seven cases involving the felling and tapping of agarwood trees.
"The operation also uncovered 185 signs of illegal hunting and 151 indicators of human activity within protected forest areas,” he said.
He added that during 3,684 patrol operations covering more than 99,000 kilometres, enforcement officers opened 56 investigation papers, resulting in the detention of 70 individuals, comprising 43 Malaysians and 27 foreign nationals.
"The total value of seized items was estimated at RM4.2mil," he said.
Arthur added that the ministry aims to appoint 2,500 Community Rangers nationwide, including 1,950 under Perhilitan, to further strengthen patrols and monitoring activities in wildlife habitats.
He stressed that these efforts are crucial, noting that the First National Tiger Survey conducted between 2016 and 2020 estimated the Malayan tiger population in Malaysia at fewer than 150 individuals.
Meanwhile, Arthur said the government would continue implementing the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) mechanism, with allocations exceeding RM1.05bil, to encourage state governments to gazette new protected areas.
"As a result of the EFT initiative, nearly 90,000 hectares of new protected areas have been gazetted across Peninsular Malaysia, further strengthening the Malayan tiger's habitat," he said.
On captive breeding efforts, Arthur said the Malayan Tiger Captive Breeding Programme (MyBIT) has also recorded encouraging progress, with five cubs born in 2024, three in 2025 and two more this year. – Bernama
