INITIAL ALLOCATION OF RM5 MLN TO KICK OFF JOHOR ELEPHANT SANCTUARY PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENT - HUANG

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- The government has approved RM5 million to kick off the development of the Johor Elephant Sactuary (JES) Phase 2 in 2026 to tackle elephant-human conflict and improve wildlife conservation.

Deputy Natural Resource and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii said the project encompasses the construction of a 5.7-kilometre (km) route, 9.3 km of physical obstacles and the installation of an electrical elephant fence system.

“This is the ensure that disruptions by elephants can be managed better. The entire Phase 2 is expected to cost RM43 million and be fully functional by 2028,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2026 at the committee level for the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) at Dewan Rakyat here today.

He also informed that Malaysia will receive a pair of giant pandas this mid month thanks to ties between Malaysia and China, which reflects their joint commitment in wildlife conservation, and that the panda loan project will be carried on under a new 10-year agreement signed on April 16 during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia.

“The renewed agreement allows Malaysia to receive a pair of young giant pandas from 2025 to 2035,” he added.

Huang also informed that the Johor wildlife viaduct along Jalan Batu Pahat-Jemaluang was going according to schedule and is expected to be completed by Feb 7, 2028, while the government has prepared an allocation of RM80 million in 2026 to train 2,500 community rangers in the country to improve enforcement.

The career path of a wildlife officer has also been improved through a review of special allowance and a new salary scheme, he said, and that cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGO) will be continued to monitor the Malayan Tiger population.

On a proposal to provide subsidies and incentives to produce paper boxes to replace plastic use, Huang said the ministry has taken note and will work with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and other ministries to  explore a suitable incentive.

He also said that there was no special allocation for the No Plastic Bag campaign under the Budget 2026, but existing budgets will be use to expand the campaign nationwide.

“The initiative to reduce plastic requires cooperation of all parties. The ministry welcomes the involvement of stakeholders and NOGs to ensure sustainability efforts are successful,” he said.

Dewan Rakyat then passed the estimated management and development expenditure of RM2,386,704,300 allocated to NRES under the Budget 2026 with majority voice after debates by 18MPs.

-- BERNAMA