(MY) more on tiger kill

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Editorial; Tok Guru, burning bright

 

Aug 16: KELANTAN Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat has been further

diminished by his ridiculous notion of sending in the army to exterminate tigers

in Kelantan.

 

If this is not bad enough that a pious Muslim should reveal so insensate a view

of the natural world, for him to have said that " other States also have tigers "

says it all, and beggars a straight-faced response. It would seem the closure of

the Pas mind has become all but absolute. Kelantan and Terengganu are reminding

all Malaysians why the Federal Constitution is indeed this nation's great

protector, ensuring that the Malaysian Armed Forces do not become the personal

playthings of enclosed local authorities out of touch with reality.

 

The irony, of course, is that Nik Aziz is also right. The priority is indeed to

care for human beings over tigers. This is done, however, by raising human

beings a little above wildlife.

 

Much easier said than done, of course, but we call it " development " , or

pembangunan in Malay; literally, " awakening " . It involves roads, electricity,

piped water, clinics, schools, utilities, facilities and amenities - and the

money to make them. It also involves societal discipline and sound community

practice - including in the organisation and management of private farmland and

agricultural holdings.

 

If that's a far cry from the Jeli district, perhaps it's a cry that will be

heard by the State administration as a plea to rid poor people not of marauding

wild animals but poverty, thereby giving animals and humans alike safer and more

decent lives.

 

MM Focus: 'Don't take Nik Aziz seriously'

 

WHAT has been said by Kelantan Menteri Besar and prominent Pas leader Datuk

Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat cannot be taken seriously.

 

Such is the opinion of more Malaysians, including Wakil Rakyat, animal-lovers

and NGO activists who have come out strongly against the Pas leader's

'outrageous' call for all tigers in the Jeli district to be killed.

 

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) describes the

statement of Nik Aziz as " ridiculously ignorant. "

 

Its public relations officer, Jeanette Low, said the SPCA felt that public

anger against Nik Aziz fully expressed its stand on his 'outrageous' comments.

 

She added that the SPCA did not wish to respond to such statements from

" ignorant people like the Pas leader. "

 

The Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) also felt that Nik

Aziz was being " ridiculous " by calling for tigers in Jeli to be killed.

 

Its secretary-general N. Marimuthu called on the public and the authorities to

pay no heed to the Pas leader's statements which reflected his " ignorance. "

 

" He is probably trying to gain publicity. He does not seem to realise tigers

are fast becoming an endangered species. We will drive them to extinction if we

kill more tigers, " said Marimuthu.

 

He expressed support for all wildlife experts and conservationists in their

plans to curb the tiger menace in Jeli without endangering the species further.

 

Cheras Member of Parliament Tan Kok Wai described the Pas leader's statements

as " deplorable and overboard " .

 

He said Nik Aziz ought to realise that tigers were fast becoming endangered

and that he should talk to wildlife experts before making " ridiculous "

statements.

 

" We must not push wildlife to extinction, " said Tan. Serdang Member of

Parliament Datuk Yap Pian Hon agreed. He said all life-forms were inter-related

and one should minimise killing animals.

 

" Killing animals is irrational. We should not aid their extinction, " said Yap,

adding that Malaysia was noted for its biodiversity, and the tiger, a national

animal, has to be protected.

 

Seri Petaling Residents Association head Len Nyok Chong said the Kelantan

Menteri Besar ought not to talk " nonsense " .

 

He said Nik Aziz ought to have discussions with wildlife experts before calling

for the killing of tigers. " We in Malaysia have been having so many campaigns

to save the endangered tiger, " said Len. " The last thing we should do is to

kill more of them. "

 

Lucky Gardens Residents Association head Ahmad Noordeen Salleh said it was

unbecoming of the Kelantan Menteri Besar to make " outrageous " statements

against tigers. Ahmad, a Kelantanese, felt that Nik Aziz was ignorant about

wildlife and conservation.

 

A Kelantanese driver, identified only as Atan, said he was ashamed of what Nik

Aziz said. He must be " nyanyuk (senile), " he said. Atan described himself as a

tiger lover, and felt that what Nik Aziz said had tarnished the good name of

Kelantan.