26/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 26, 2025

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Kluang elephants relocated in major rescue effort

E-hailing driver hits RM19m jackpot

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: A 55-year-old e-hailing driver from Sarawak has struck it rich, winning RM19 million in the Toto 4D Jackpot 1 in last Saturday’s draw by betting on his vehicle registration numbers. The lucky winner told STM Lottery Sdn Bhd he has been a loyal Sports Toto player for many years, although this marked his first ever win. “When I came home on Saturday night after finishing my shift, I sat in the car and checked my Toto tickets. “When I saw the first 4D number match the second prize, my heart was racing. Then I noticed my other 4D number had matched the first prize. I screamed in my car as I realised I had won the jackpot!” The winning digits, 6570 and 7068, were the registration plate numbers of his motorcycle and his first car. “My motorcycle and car were the very first vehicles I ever owned. Without fail, I always bet on those numbers because of their sentimental value,” he said. He purchased a System 3 ticket, earning him a total of RM19,018,092.30, plus an additional RM336 in System Play bonus. Despite the windfall, he plans to continue working as an e-hailing driver and intends to share the winnings with his wife, children and siblings. He also hopes to begin investing to generate sustainable wealth. Pulau Aur residents appeal for boat fare subsidy MERSING: Residents of Pulau Aur are urging the Johor government to introduce a boat fare subsidy to ease travel costs, particularly for medical needs and family visits. Currently, a return trip to the mainland costs up to RM210 per person – a heavy burden for many in the B40 income group, according to housewife Hatasa Rabudin, 40. “I rarely visit my parents in Kampung Teluk Berhala because the boat fare alone is RM105 one way,” she said during a recent media visit to the island. She said she once pooled RM7,000 with relatives in 2018 to charter a ferry home for Hari Raya, adding that her chronically ill father also travels twice a month to Mersing for treatment. “There’s a village clinic on the island, but more serious cases need referral to the mainland,” she said, calling on the state to consider a subsidy similar to Pahang’s initiative for Pulau Tioman residents. Long-time Mersing resident Masli Sulaiman, 56, added that deteriorating infrastructure has made boat travel the only option, even between nearby villages. “There used to be a land route to the jetty, but now it’s overgrown and the main bridge is damaged. A subsidy would help in emergencies and allow more frequent visits to elderly relatives.” Village Development and Security Committee chairman Sabinah Md Seth said most locals are fishermen or small-scale farmers without a stable income, and even a partial subsidy would help ease their burden. Located 76km from the mainland, Pulau Aur is a popular ecotourism destination and a strategic route for local and international fishing vessels. From July 18 to 20, 50 Johor Corporation volunteers and six media representatives participated in a coral reef rehabilitation programme on the island. – Bernama

KLUANG: A herd of wild elephants, viewed as a threat to local communities, is being given a new life through a relocation effort led by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. In a coordinated operation, four female elephants – including a calf – were sedated and safely relocated from a rubber plantation in Kampung Sri Lukut, marking the start of a wider conservation mission in Kluang. The translocation is part of an integrated operation launched on July 14, the first of its kind in Johor this year. Assisting in the effort were Abot and Sanum, two gajah denak (trained elephants) from the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang. Guided by their handlers, the duo helped calm and lead the wild elephants during capture and transfer. “ Gajah denak play a crucial role and typically work in pairs. They not only lead, but offer psychological reassurance that prevents panic and resistance,” explained Johor Department of Wildlife and National Parks director Aminuddin Jamin. To date, nine elephants have been captured during the Kluang operation. Four were relocated two days ago, with two moved during subsequent sessions. One elephant has been transferred to the Johor Elephant Sanctuary (JES). The effort is supported by satellite collars – each costing RM30,000 – and drone surveillance to monitor herd movement. Over 30 personnel from the department, JES and Kuala Gandah took part in the operation, supported by a veterinary team, Bernama reported. Johor Department of Wildlife and o Wildlife team moves four females away from villages in bid to reduce human-animal encounters

Two gajah denak escorting a wild female elephant and her calf during the operation. – BERNAMAPIC

efforts help encourage public participation and make eradication more effective. The department also works with houses of worship to discourage the indiscriminate release of non-native species into rivers, even when done as part of religious rituals. “We recommend the use of native fish instead, to avoid damaging the aquatic environment.” Mohd Ghazali added that any parties, including NGOs, wishing to carry out alien fish eradicating activities in Perak must obtain prior approval from the department. He said such approval is necessary to ensure the activity is conducted legally and does not pose a threat to local fish populations. Medication alone ranges from RM350 to RM6,000 per elephant. Although some critics have labelled the process inhumane, JES head Azrul Abd Manan defended the operation as both necessary and ethical. “These are wild animals, not pets. When they enter villages, they damage crops and scare residents. Relocation to safer, protected habitats is the best solution, for both the elephants and people,” he said. Azrul added that the elephants are not at fault for human-wildlife conflict, but are victims of shrinking forest habitats. “To many, they are a nuisance. But we see them as victims of habitat loss. This effort gives them a real second chance.”

National Parks veterinary officer Dr Suliza Abd Wahab, who supervised the tranquilisation and post-capture care, said the elephants are treated as patients rather than just wildlife. She explained that sedative doses are carefully calibrated, with initial capture requiring up to 20cc, and smaller doses used during transport and release. “At the release site, higher doses are often needed because there are no trained elephants to help calm them. Without proper sedation, they can become aggressive,” she said. Each relocation can cost up to RM50,000, including transport, logistics, food and veterinary care.

Perak aims to rid rivers of alien fish in five years PARIT: The Perak Fisheries Department is aiming to eliminate alien fish species from state rivers within the next five years, amid growing concerns over their impact on ecosystems and the survival of native fish. into rivers,” he told Bernama. Once released, these fish not only disrupt the local ecosystem but also damage riverbanks, which often serve as their habitats and breeding grounds.

To address the issue, the department has implemented several initiatives since 2019, including awareness campaigns in collaboration with various parties such as non-governmental organisations. “We don’t just deliver talks in person or on social media, but also organise ‘grand prix’ competitions to catch alien fish in the Pinji and Kinta rivers. At one point, we managed to collect about two tonnes,” he said, adding that such

Perak Fisheries director Mohd Ghazali Abdul Manap acknowledged that the task would not be easy, as non-indigenous species such as plecos (locally known as bandaraya ), tilapia, redtail catfish and Chao Phraya giant catfish have long existed in public waterways, particularly in Perak. “For example, the presence of plecos mostly stems from the ornamental fish trade. When owners can no longer manage them due to their size and aggressive behaviour, they release them

Road closures for St Anne’s Feast in Penang BUKIT MERTAJAM: Several roads near the Minor Basilica of St Anne will be closed from 9am today until 2pm tomorrow for the annual St Anne’s Feast, one of Malaysia’s largest religious celebrations. smooth traffic flow throughout the event. The affected stretch includes Jalan Kulim, from the Caltex petrol station to the Taman Bukit Indah traffic lights. Motorists travelling from Kulim to Bukit Mertajam may detour via Jalan Rozhan or Jalan Sepakat, continuing to Jalan Muhibbah and Jalan Kampung Baru, before exiting through Taman B. Central Seberang Perai police chief ACP Helmi Aris said more than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend, with the closures aimed at ensuring

Those heading from Bukit Mertajam to Kulim may use Jalan Kampung Baru towards Jalan Berjaya, then proceed via Jalan Song Ban Kheng and Jalan Kampung Baru, heading towards Alma and Bukit Minyak. Alternatively, Jalan Kampung Batu through Taman B offers access back to Jalan Kulim. – Bernama