00:00The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the transfer of three elephants from Taiping Zoo to one in Osaka, Japan.
00:09In a statement, MACC said its probe will cover the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry,
00:16the Wildlife and National Parks Department, and agents involved in the transfer.
00:21The investigation comes after a wildlife NGO flagged several payments linked to the transfer that did not reach the government.
00:30The NGO, Hak Asasi Hidupan Liar Malaysia, also linked several individuals to transactions worth about RM53 million.
00:39MACC said it is investigating possible leakages and allegations of corruption linked to the transfer.
00:46Last Thursday, another NGO, Pertubuhan Pelindung Kazana Alam Malaysia, claimed that about RM50 million was paid to several persons in
00:56connection with the elephants' transfer.
00:58Its president, Rajesh Nagarajan, said the group received the information from a purported whistleblower.
01:06Elephants, Dara, Amoy, and Kelet were transferred to Tennoji Zoo in March this year.
01:12The transfer was aimed at strengthening international cooperation in elephant breeding and welfare.
01:18Han Yeo Joe, FMT.
01:20Han Yeo Joe, FMT.
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