EFT Initiatives Cut Human-elephant Conflict In Johor By Over 30 Per Cent - Arthur

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The implementation of various initiatives under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) fund has delivered positive results, reducing human-elephant conflict cases in Johor by more than 30 per cent.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said complaints related to human-elephant conflict in the state declined from about 900 cases in 2024 to only about 600 cases last year.

To sustain the downward trend, he said the government allocated RM600,000 under the EFT fund for the 2025–2026 period to strengthen conflict management through several initiatives, including the Integrated Elephant Translocation Operation Programme.

“This programme involves eight elephant corridor areas, including those in the Mersing district, with a target of relocating 25 wild elephants to more suitable habitats. During the implementation period, a total of 29 wild elephants were successfully captured and relocated,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Manndzri Nasib (BN–Tenggara) regarding the effectiveness of additional EFT allocations and community-based programmes implemented by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in reducing human-elephant conflict, as well as plans to expand the use of the Elephant Electric Fencing System (SPEG).

Arthur added that RM900,000 from the EFT allocation had also been channelled towards mitigation programmes under the Johor State Rural Strategic Roadmap, including the establishment of Wildlife Protection Communities (KPHL) in five villages as an initial phase.

On efforts to expand SPEG implementation, he said the ministry had allocated RM30 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan to strengthen protection, control, prevention of encroachment and mitigation of elephant-related threats in high-conflict areas.

The allocation includes the construction of physical barriers, installation of electric fencing systems, procurement of mitigation equipment, and maintenance and repair works for 17 existing SPEG facilities across Peninsular Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA