KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has directed that Zoo Negara be improved.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said Najib was concerned about the developments in the zoo and had issued the directive as the zoo is an important tourist attraction.
The New Sunday Times had reported that the welfare of animals in Zoo Negara had been compromised due to a shortage of funds and there were also allegations of mismanagement of money.
A shortage of funds had also led to the night safari being discontinued and some enclosures not upgraded.
| Datuk Douglas Uggah Embasm says a committee under the ministry has been formed to look into the zoo issue |
Uggah said a committee under his ministry had been set up to look into issues affecting zoos in the country and would hold its first meeting soon.
The members of the committee are Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Housing and Local Government Minster Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and himself, together with officers from their respective ministries.
"The secretary-general of my ministry just visited the zoo and I am waiting to receive his report."
On calls from some Zoo Negara life-members for the zoo to be turned into a government-linked company like Singapore Zoo, Uggah said: "We are currently looking at all options. I also had a meeting with the Zoo Negara management last week."
Some life-members had also asked the government not to pump money into Zoo Negara until there was a probe into the the situation at the zoo.
"Of course, the government simply does not give out money. We will ensure it is for a good purpose."
The New Sunday Times had reported on Aug 2 that complaints about Zoo Negara had been lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and that investigations were 80 per cent complete.
MACC deputy commissioner (operation) Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohammed said investigations into Zoo Negara were still ongoing.
"We are trying to wrap it up as soon as possible," said Abu Kassim.
| Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammed says investigations into Zoo Negara by MACC are ongoing |
"The delay in investigations is due to time taken in obtaining some documents and the availability of witnesses."
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