Energy minister Takiyuddin tests positive for Covid-19

Absent from Dewan Rakyat as result, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Jaafar answers in his stead

(The Vibes) – Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Baru-PAS) tested positive for Covid-19, which explains his absence from the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to the lower house schedule today, Takiyuddin was assigned to answer a question by Che Alias Hamid (Kemaman-PAS) on the conservation of Malayan tigers in the country.

Standing in for Takiyuddin is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Parliament and Law Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Jaafar (Santubong-GPS).

Wan Junaidi told the house that Takiyuddin is unable to attend today’s session after testing positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, on tiger conservation, Wan Junaidi said a survey conducted from 2016 to 2020 found that there are less than 200 tigers in the wild.

“With this number of tigers, Malaysia is expected to lose them in five to 10 years, unless swift action is taken.”

On human-wildlife conflicts, he suggested that human encroachment into tiger habitats is to blame while food sources have been on a decline.

He added that residents who spot tigers entering their villages should not take matters into their own hands, but immediately call Perhilitan (Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia).

“Tiger habitats are the jungles. But we have been cutting down forests and shrinking their habitats, heightening such conflicts. Tigers, elephants and tapirs have wide-roaming areas.

“For example, the sambar deer is the first choice of food for tigers, and even that species faces a decline due to hunting.”