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The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Tip off authorities on jumbo killings, Sabah villagers urged
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.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Killing elephants is ‘murder', says Sabah minister in plea for info over recent decapitation cases
The Borneo pygmy elephant, native to Sabah, is a fully protected species under state law, with an estimated population of just 1,500. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM FENDYALWI91/TIKTOK Killing elephants is 'murder', says Sabah minister in plea for info over recent decapitation cases KOTA KINABALU - Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister 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 the brutal act as 'murder', Datuk Seri Liew said the perpetrators must be brought to justice, stressing that such cruelty must not go unpunished. 'I have spoken to the director of the Wildlife Department. Despite our efforts, we have not been able to identify the persons responsible for this cruel act, although there are some suspicions,' she told reporters at the Asean Travel Exchange 2025 launch on June 19. She noted that no one has yet come forward, and there have been no takers for the RM10,000 (S$3,025) reward offered for information on the killings. 'We offered a RM10,000 reward for any information, but so far, no one has come forward. I have clearly instructed the department that this kind of act cannot go unpunished. Killing an elephant is murder. We absolutely cannot allow this to happen again,' Ms Liew stressed. However, she believes the local community may hold the key to solving the case but suspects 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 (village) people know more, but they are very hesitant to say anything. Still, I am hopeful,' she said. When asked whether an organised syndicate could be behind the killings, Ms Liew dismissed the theory. '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,' she said. Asked whether the government would consider increasing the RM10,000 reward to encourage potential witnesses to come forward, she replied: 'Let's negotiate on that.' 'There have been no new incidents like this recently, and I truly hope it stays that way. I get very upset when these things happen… I am an animal lover myself, and I cannot bear to see this kind of cruelty.' At least three cases of beheaded elephants were reported between January and April 2025. 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. The Borneo pygmy elephant, 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. Ms Liew urged the public not to turn a blind eye to the situation and come forward if they had any information on the matter. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Killing elephants is 'murder', says Sabah minister over spate of deaths in Tawau
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister 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 the brutal act as "murder," Liew said the perpetrators must be brought to justice, stressing that such cruelty must not go unpunished. 'I have spoken to the director of the Wildlife Department. Despite our efforts, we have not been able to identify the persons responsible for this cruel act, although there are some suspicions,' she told reporters at the Asean Travel Exchange (ATEX) 2025 launch here on Thursday (June 19). She noted that no one has yet come forward, and there have been no takers for the RM10,000 reward offered for information on the killings. 'We offered a RM10,000 reward for any information, but so far, no one has come forward. I have clearly instructed the department that this kind of act cannot go unpunished. Killing an elephant is murder. We absolutely cannot allow this to happen again,' Liew stressed. However, she believes the local community may hold the key to solving the case but suspects 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 (village) people know more, but they are very hesitant to say anything. Still, I am hopeful,' she said. When asked whether an organised syndicate could be behind the killings, Liew dismissed the theory. '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,' she said. Asked whether the government would consider increasing the RM10,000 reward to encourage potential witnesses to come forward, she replied: 'Let's negotiate on that.' 'There have been no new incidents like this recently, and I truly hope it stays that way. I get very upset when these things happen … I am an animal lover myself, and I cannot bear to see this kind of cruelty.' At least three cases of beheaded elephants were reported between January and April this year. 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. The Borneo pygmy elephant, 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. Liew urged the public not to turn a blind eye to the situation and come forward if they had any information on the matter.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
DAP Sarawak chief vows to keep fighting to clear Michael Kong's name after court setback
Chong also appealed for public support, saying any form of encouragement for Kong would be sincerely appreciated by those who believe in the principles underpinning the case. KUCHING (June 18): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen today affirmed that efforts to clear Michael Kong Feng Nian's name will continue. This follows the Court of Appeal's dismissal of Kong's application for a stay of execution in a defamation suit filed by Datuk Richard Wee Liang Chiat. The Court of Appeal rejected Kong's application to stay the High Court's judgement, which had ordered him to pay RM250,000 (RM200,000 in damages and RM50,000 in legal costs) to Wee for defaming him in a Facebook post dated July 21, 2020. The appellate court's decision upholds the High Court ruling delivered on Jan 26, 2024. The judgment also includes a 5 per cent annual interest on the damages, calculated from the date of publication until full settlement. Chong in a statement said with today's ruling, Kong must now pay the RM200,000 judgment sum, accrued interests and a total of RM60,000 in costs—bringing the financial burden to about RM310,000. 'While it is deeply regrettable that such a hefty amount must be paid before the Court of Appeal hears and decides on the merits of the appeal, we must nevertheless respect and comply with the Court's decision,' he said. 'Kong's political struggle and legal battle alongside this journey has not been easy, but together with Kong, we remain steadfast in his conviction and will continue to pursue the appeal to clear his name.' Chong also appealed for public support, saying any form of encouragement for Kong would be sincerely appreciated by those who believe in the principles underpinning the case. Kong, who is Chong's special assistant, was represented in the legal proceedings by Chong himself along with his legal team. Chong Chieng Jen Court lead Michael Kong Richard Wee
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Kuching Appeals Court dismisses Michael Kong's stay application in appeal against Richard Wee defamation case judgement
Photo shows the Kuching Court Complex. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 18): The Court of Appeal here today dismissed Michael Kong Feng Nian's application for a stay of the High Court judgment requiring him to pay RM250,000 to Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee Liang Huat for defaming the latter in a Facebook post. A three-member bench comprising Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, Datuk Dr Choo Kah Sing, and Datuk Ismail Brahim unanimously rejected the Notice of Motion for Stay. The court also ordered Kong to pay RM10,000 in costs, subject to allocatur. The appeal stems from a High Court defamation suit brought by Wee against Kong – a special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party chairman Chong Chieng Jen – over a Facebook post dated March 25, 2022, which contained disparaging remarks against Wee and his family. Kong's post followed Wee's 2020 observation that more urban Chinese voters in Sarawak would likely support Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the state election due to the coalition's continued efforts to defend Sarawak's rights. Wee sought general and exemplary damages for libel and malicious falsehood, along with an injunction to restrain Kong from publishing, causing to be published, circulating, and distributing the said post. On Jan 26, 2024 , High Court Judge Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab, who presided over the case found the statements defamatory and rejected Kong's defences of justification and fair comment. The court held that Kong failed to prove the truth of his statements and that the comments, driven by malice and not grounded in fact, exceeded the bounds of legitimate political criticism. The post was deemed a personal attack rather than fair comment on a matter of public interest. As a result, the court awarded a total of RM250,000 in damages, including RM150,000 in general and aggravated damages, RM50,000 in malicious falsehood damages, and RM50,000 in legal costs. An interest rate of 5 per cent was also imposed on the damages from the date of the Facebook post. Following that, Kong's legal team had also applied for leave to appeal, arguing that the amount in dispute fell below RM250,000, and thus required leave under Section 68(1) of the Courts of Judicature Act. However, Wee's counsel, Datuk Shankar Ram Asnani maintained that leave was unnecessary as the original claim exceeded RM250,000, and the case should proceed directly to appeal. Kong was represented by Chong Siew Chiang, Chong Chieng Jen, and Sharon Lo Min Hui, while Wee was represented by Shankar and Liu Wan Ping. Court of Appeal defamation case lead Michael Kong Richard Wee
