(MY) Zoo Negara

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Year end decision for zoo-Malay Mail

Ministers meet today to decide Zoo Negara's future

 

<http://www.mmail.com.my/source/pauline-almeida>

Monday, October 12th, 2009 14:29:00

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EMBAS: Second meeting to resolve zoo's problems

 

A PROPOSAL on the future management of Zoo Negara in Hulu Kelang will be

presented to the Cabinet by year's end, Natural Resource and Environment

Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said.

 

This will be based on the outcome of a meeting scheduled tobe held at the

zoo today. It is being initiated by Embas in his capacity as the chairman of

the committee, set up two months ago to resolve the problems plaguing the

zoo.

 

Parties confirmed for the meeting are Housing and Local Government Minister

Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Malaysian

Zoological Society (MZS) members - the managers of the zoo. Housing and

Local Government Ministry is involved as some State zoos fall under its

management.

 

" Stemming from this discussion (today), a proposal recommending the zoo's

future will be submitted to the Cabinet by the year-end for its

endorsement.It will also touch on the zoo's management, animal welfare and

its environment, " said Embas.

 

The ministry will also be receiving a report from the Wildlife Department on

the animals, as an added reference.

 

Today's meeting is its second for the committee. The ministry held its first

meeting more than a month ago.

 

In August, Embas had acknowledged that the zoo needed some attention, which

prompted him to form a committee to look into all aspects of the zoo.

 

He also revealed that he had a briefing with members of the MZS to ascertain

the extent of the zoo's problem.

 

The ministry's effort came about after Malay Mail highlighted allegations of

mismanagement at the zoo, and calls by some MZS members to urgently hold an

extraordinary general meeting so that new members could be elected. In the

interim, MZS requested that a caretaker committee be formed to manage the

zoo.

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We know what's best, says Zoo Negara chief

Monday, October 12th, 2009 13:45:00

 

DESPITE the fact that a meeting today could determine the outcome of Zoo

Negara’s future and its entire management, its chairman and president Datuk

Ismail Hutson is not the least bit worried.

 

In fact, he said that whatever decision to be made by the three ministries —

Natural Resource and Environment, Housing and Local Government, and Tourism,

— would be welcomed.

 

The meeting, to be held at Zoo Negara, will be attended by the respective

ministers and several representatives from the Malaysian Zoological Society

(MZS).

 

It is learnt that after the meeting at 9.30am, the ministries’

representatives will convene to further discuss zoo matters and arrive at a

decision.

 

However, Ismail hopes that the result of the meeting will translate into a

grant for the zoo’s development plan to become an internationalstandard zoo.

 

“If the ministries want to take care of the development, that’s fine also.

They can choose to bring in their contractors but it is better if we are

given the grant so we can execute the plans ourselves because we know how to

implement the concept.

 

It’s not necessary to spend so much money to develop the zoo,” Ismail said.

Asked if the meeting may result in a change or additions to the MZS council

member line-up, Ismail said while council members were elected annually by

its members, it is up to the ministries should they decide to have a say in

who made up the council.

 

“All this while, we’ve had former government officials who attend monthly

meetings on matters pertaining to the zoo.

 

However, I’m happy if we can get them to be permanent members of the council

so they can not only advise, but also monitor the execution and

implementation of ideas to improve the zoo,” said Ismail, adding that the

permanent government-based members can be either retired or current

government staff.

 

“However, it is important that only the right people who want to be part of

the zoo be taken in. We should not allow anyone with personal interests to

take over the zoo.”

 

Ismail also said the zoo does not suffer problems as was reported earlier by

the media, including mismanagement and poor animal welfare.

 

“The minister (Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas) has visited the zoo and was quite

happy with how it is being run. Former government officials, from the

Department of Wildlife and National Parks and State governments, are also

involved in the zoo. So, there’s no question of mismanagement.

 

“I’ve also nothing to say about animal welfare. It’s all allegations from

some unhappy members who’ve left the council.”

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Power crazy boss must go' - Malay Mail

 

Monday, October 12th, 2009 13:51:00

 

A MEMBER of the Malaysian Zoological Society (MZS) feels it’s about time the

government makes a decision on Zoo Negara, but he expressed his skepticism

that things will change for the better should Zoo Negara chairman and

president Datuk Ismail Hutson stays in power.

 

He disagreed with Ismail’s opinion that the involvement of government

officials, retired or otherwise, as permanent members of the MZS council

will help improve the zoo’s management.

 

“Having government officials permanently in the council will not change the

way it is run,” he said.

 

“As it is, retired government officials are already represented in the MZS.

They attend meetings. But where it matters, they have no official voice,”

said the member.

 

He added that there were one or two retired government officials in the

council but their position was not helpful when others “gang up” on them.

 

“Enough is enough. The animals are suffering and some of the members have

made their money. My only hope is that the three ministries will carry out

an investigation into all the negative reports about the MZS and allow

members of the public to be given the opportunity to voice their opinions

about the zoo.

 

“Ismail wants power all the time. He has held on to his post for too long.

If there’s anyone who has to leave, it must be him.”