The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) announced on July 9 that it found no evidence of suspicious fund transfers or financial transactions involving former minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad regarding the alleged RM53 million bribe tied to the transfer of three elephants—Dara, Amoi, and Kelat—to Japan [1, 2, 3, 4].
The elephants were moved from Zoo Taiping to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, with the entire transfer cost covered by Tennoji Zoo at about US$1.048 million (RM6.3 million) [1]. Before the transfer, the elephants were temporarily housed at the National Elephant Conservation Centre Kuala Gandah for preparation [1].
The transfer agreement spans 25 years, which MACC noted was reasonable given the elephants' biological factors, including gestation and potential offspring [1].
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said investigations under Operation DAK are ongoing targeting four suspects: a former civil servant, a current civil servant, and two company owners [1, 3, 4]. “Based on our investigations so far, there is no evidence linking him (Nik Nazmi) to the alleged RM53 million bribe. However, investigations involving the remaining suspects are still ongoing,” he said [2].
The probe involved detailed examination of financial and banking transactions linked to these suspects, with 19 witnesses interviewed [1, 3, 4]. “The four suspects remain under investigation because there are several transactions that need to be clarified via the money trail and bank accounts. The rest of the investigation is almost complete. Once those matters are resolved, we will determine whether to prosecute or close the investigation,” Abd Halim added [3].
MACC's inquiry also uncovered governance weaknesses in procedures for wildlife disposal and transfer, including potential conflicts of interest among Perhilitan personnel and companies [3]. As a result, MACC has opened a Governance Inspection Paper to address these procedural issues and reduce corruption risks in wildlife governance [3].
The alleged bribery and abuse of power occurred between 2021 and 2022, prompting the MACC investigation [1]. The commission continues to focus on the remaining suspects while clearing Nik Nazmi of any wrongdoing.
