03/03/2025

MONDAY | MAR 3, 2025 5 Teacher probed over relationship with pupil SEPANG: Police are investigating a teacher at a school in Dengkil following allegations of a “special relationship” with a 12-year-old pupil. Sepang district police chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman said police received a report from the father of the girl on Wednesday regarding a male teacher in his 30s. “The father lodged the report after discovering that his daughter was frequently contacted by the teacher via TikTok, Love8 and WhatsApp. The nature of their communication raised suspicions as it did not appear to be a typical teacher-student interaction,” he said in a statement. Following the report, police recorded a statement from the teacher on Friday, and the investigation is ongoing. The case is being investigated under Section 15(a)(iii) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a prison sentence of more than 10 years, a fine of up to RM20,000 or both. “The public is urged not to spread false information regarding the case,” Norhizam added. – Bernama Four armed robbery suspects arrested IPOH: Four men, aged 25 to 50, have been arrested on suspicion of breaking into and committing armed robbery at a factory used as a depot for a courier company in Jelapang. Acting Ipoh police chief Supt Mohamad Sajidan Abdul Sukor said the swift action of police led to their arrest, after receiving a report from a supervisor of the company on Friday. Police also seized several items, including four cutters, cables, a pair of gloves, a remote control key and a 4WD vehicle. “Urine tests conducted on the suspects – all locals – found them positive for methamphetamine, and all of them have criminal records, including drug-related offences,” he said in a statement. Mohamad Sajidan added that police have obtained a five-day remand order, which expires on Wednesday, issued by the Ipoh Magistrate’s Court for investigation under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery. – Bernama Police seek key witness in murder trial KULAI: Police are looking for a local man who is a key witness in a murder case. Kulai police chief ACP Tan Seng Lee identified the man as R. Kumaran, 46, whose last known address was at Jalan Chemor, Tanjong Rambutan in Perak. “He is required to appear as an important witness for the trial,” Tan said in a media statement that was issued on Saturday. He urged those with information on the man or his whereabouts to contact investigation officer Insp Amy Dahlia Abdul Rahman at 014-920 2402. – Bernama

Activists warn of growing threats to M’sian wildlife

o Poaching, habitat loss and climate change pushing tigers, tapirs and rare primates to extinction

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: As the world marks World Wildlife Day, Malaysian wildlife activists and conservationists continue to voice concerns over the plight of endangered species, which face severe threats to their survival. These species are at risk due to habitat loss, poaching and climate change, which jeopardise their existence. Experts stress the urgent need to protect Malaysia’s biodiversity, from the jungles of Peninsular Malaysia to the rainforests of Sabah and Sarawak, home to countless wildlife species. According to WWF-Malaysia associate director for Sarawak and Conservation Science Dr Jason Hon, the Malayan tiger is critically endangered, with fewer than 150 left in the wild. Poaching remains the greatest threat to these majestic animals. “Their future depends on reducing poaching, protecting habitats and strengthening enforcement. While government initiatives have made progress, there is still much to be done. Collaboration between authorities, NGOs and local communities is crucial,” he said. WWF-Malaysia’s Tiger Conservation Programme head Azlan Mohamed said the organisation is working closely with local enforcement agencies and indigenous communities to monitor tiger populations. “Efforts such as strengthened protection operations, increased patrolling and the establishment of wildlife corridors are vital for the species to survive,” he said. Azlan also called for greater funding and support for the National Tiger Conservation Task Force, which leads preservation efforts. “We need more resources to train and deploy rangers. Poaching remains a major threat and without proper monitoring, we risk losing these magnificent animals,” he said. Beyond Malayan tigers, other species, including the Malayan tapir, are also at risk of extinction. WWF-Malaysia data estimates that only 1,300 to 1,700 Malayan tapirs remain, with 112 fatalities due to road crashes recorded between 2020 and March 2024. Recent studies also suggest that only 1,000 Bornean elephants are left, with just 400 breeding adults.

Hon said the Malayan tiger is critically endangered, with fewer than 150 animals left in the wild. – PIC COURTESY OF WWF

Bornean elephant and Sunda clouded leopard. We are advocating better landscape connectivity to allow wildlife to move safely between habitats,” she said, stressing the importance of community engagement and corporate responsibility. Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia Wildlife Management senior lecturer Dr Tengku Rinalfi Putra Tengku Azizan said urbanisation is forcing species, such as long-tailed macaques, elephants and wild boars, into populated environments. “Improved urban planning, with buffer zones and ecological corridors, is essential to ensure wildlife can access natural resources without encroaching on human spaces,” he said. He added that climate change is disrupting wildlife behaviour, forcing large mammals and primates to alter their foraging patterns due to shifting food availability and unpredictable weather conditions. “If we want true coexistence, we must integrate wildlife preservation into urban planning, rather than treating it as an afterthought.”

The Raffles’ banded langur faces an even more dire situation, with fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining. Observed annually on March 3, World Wildlife Day highlights the importance of preserving endangered species and their natural habitats. WWF-Malaysia Sarawak Programme senior field biologist Lukmann Haqeem Alen said Sarawak’s jungles shelter critically endangered species, such as the Bornean orangutan and helmeted hornbill. “While conservation has made some progress, illegal logging and land conversion remain persistent threats,” he said. He urged for stricter penalties for illegal loggers and wildlife traffickers, with better incentives for local communities to support preservation efforts. In Sabah, where deforestation and human-wildlife conflict continue to threaten many species, WWF-Malaysia Sabah Landscapes Programme and wildlife protection manager Sharon Koh called for better land management. “Forest fragmentation due to plantation expansion has isolated species such as the

Residents affected by fire face Ramadan with resilience KOTA KINABALU: The residents of Kampung Cempaka in Likas, who lost their homes in a dawn fire that razed 80 houses on Saturday, have accepted the calamity as a test of faith ahead of Ramadan. “But I accept this as Allah ’s test in this blessed month. Ramadan teaches patience and calm, and I believe Allah has something better planned for us during Ramadan and Syawal,” he told Bernama. struggled to hold back tears as he recounted how his seven family members were left homeless just before Ramadan. relatives for the time being and hopes authorities will help them find a new home. Alfadra Ahmad Madja, 37, a labourer, said although he lost his home, he was grateful that no one was injured or killed in the fire.

important documents, his family is now uncertain about where to stay during Ramadan and with Hari Raya approaching. Nurmina Abdul Rahim, 36, said she was jolted awake when her 15-year old daughter alerted her. She immediately helped wake neighbours who were still asleep. “I knocked on doors as hard as I could to wake them up. My neighbour has a baby and thank God, they were also able to escape safely,” she said.

“My heart is heavy, but I accept God’s will after watching our house burn down. This is our Ramadan test. I have so much on my mind, especially as we start fasting and soon prepare for Aidilfitri,” he said. Hamzani, who managed to save only clothes, vital documents and a few household items, will stay with

The massive blaze, that broke out at about 5am, destroyed a squatter settlement spanning 250sq m, leaving 669 people from 139 families homeless. Among those affected is Hamzani Jair, 44, a shop assistant, who

Mohd Sabri Talib, 50, a truck driver, said his family had prepared for fasting but now they must start from scratch. He had stocked up on essentials such as rice, eggs, oil and canned food for sahur and breaking fast, but everything was destroyed in the fire.

“I heard people shouting outside and when I looked out the window, I saw flames engulfing nearby houses. I quickly woke my wife, children and in-laws, and we fled to safety,” he said. While he was able to save