The investigation into the recent mysterious deaths of 14 Borneo pygmy elephants in the Rara Forest Reserve, about 139km from Tawau, has been stepped up, and an additional reward of RM40,000 is being offered for information leading to the capture of those responsible for their deaths.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun said he was briefed on this matter by his permanent secretary Micheal Emban, who chaired the meeting of the task force on the dead elephants.

“If the chemist’s report shows that there was ‘intentional’ killing of the elephants, the ministry is ready to offer a reward of RM40,000 to the informant,” he told reporters after launching the Malindo Air service for the Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur route in Kuala Lumpur today.

Masidi was asked to comment on the latest development on the investigations into the dead of the Borneo pygmy elephants.  

The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) Sabah had earlier offered a reward of RM10,000 for information leading to the arrest and successful conviction of those causing the death of the endangered elephants.

“So with Matta’s RM10,000 offer, this brings the reward to a total of RM50,000,” he said.

However, this was subject to the outcome of the chemist’s report, which was expected to be out this Friday, said Masidi, who was quoted as saying earlier that based on an initial examination of the elephant carcasses, the cause of death was likely to be poisoning.

Meanwhile, Masidi said two senior police officers were appointed to look into the case.

On Feb 1, Sabah police commissioner Hamza Taib was quoted as saying that the Sabah police had opened an investigation paper on the death of the elephants.

Hamza had said that  the case would be investigated under Section 429 of the Penal Code for mischief by killing or maiming of an animal, and the offence carries a maximum imprisonment of five years or fine, or both.

“Our investigation will be on the crime aspects,” Hamza was quoted as saying.

- Bernama