Dara, Amoi, Kelat: Activists seek court documents on elephants sent to Japan

Animal activists in Malaysia are seeking court documents related to the transfer of three elephants - Dara, Amoi, and Kelat - to Japan, in an effort to hold government authorities accountable for the decision. Attorneys Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal, representing activist Datin Shereen Begum Abdul Yunos and three others, filed a pre-action discovery application under the Rules of Court 2012 to obtain crucial documents before initiating a full lawsuit.

Both the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) and Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) had previously rejected their requests for official documents, citing the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) as justification. Animal rights activists argue that invoking the OSA to conceal public interest decisions made regarding protected wildlife is an abuse of power.

A letter obtained by the New Straits Times revealed that the NRES legal adviser stated the ministry could not disclose the information due to the lack of an agreement between Perhilitan and Osaka's Tennoji Zoo, where the elephants were relocated earlier this year.

The activists are demanding complete disclosure of agreements, financial records, veterinary assessments, and customs permits related to the elephants' relocation. Rajesh emphasized that the pre-action discovery application was filed ahead of a lawsuit to expedite the process, as without the essential documents, any legal challenge would be impeded. The activists hope for the intervention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the relevant ministries to facilitate the elephants' return to their natural habitat.