It looks like the answers into the death of Sabah’s 14 pygmy elephants will be buried forever with the dead elephants. It has been more than a year and Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun, the Sabah Wildlife Department, the Sabah police  and others, are still keeping silent as to who were responsible for their deaths and why no arrests have been made.

When news of the deaths first broke there was much  hue and cry from all parties concerned, but eventually all interest came to an end. The authorities are accountable to the Malaysian public and their stoic silence does not bode well for their reputation unless they decide to sweep this hideous crime under the carpet.

Even before a conclusive finding leading to the arrest of the culprits responsible for the death of the 14 pygmies, news have again surfaced of growing concern over two rescued female Borneo Pygmy elephant calves found wondering in two plantations in Kinabatangan. Again poison is being suspected as the cause of the calves wandering away from their mothers.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is duly concerned over the increasing trend in the number of  elephants being either killed or poisoned. Does Masidi and the Sabah Wildlife Department realise the gravity of this situation? What would be the consequences for Sabah’s wildlife  if culprits and those responsible for the killing of  elephants get away scot free?

The Sabah Wildlife Department and the authorities must respond promptly to any deaths in plantations using people with the skills and knowledge to identify which industry is responsible for land clearing; searches for evidence of poisoning; interviews conducted; and conduct tests on bodies and clothes that were contaminated.

Does the authorities think they can ride out the storm and hope that the issue will be easily forgotten? SAM and the Malaysian public have a right to question and seek transparency from the government, the Wildlife Department, the police and other agencies who are linked to the vicious killing of the elephants in the past and present.

SM MOHD IDRIS is president, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).