According to a news report, 600 human-elephant conflict complaints were recorded in Johor in 2025, down from 900 complaints the previous year, representing a more than 30% decrease over the two-year period.
Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, stated that the downward trend in the number of complaints continued this year, with 147 complaints received between January and May.
He explained that the consecutive downward trend was caused by the implementation of various mitigation measures.
“RM600,000 has been allocated for the ‘Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation’ (EFT) programme from 2025 to 2026 to strengthen the management of human-elephant conflict through various initiatives.”
“The implementation of various initiatives under the EFT has had a positive impact on reducing human-elephant conflict in Johor,” he stated.
He said this in response to a question posed by Tenggara member of Parliament Manndzri Nasib about the effectiveness of additional EFT funds and the PERHILITAN community programme in reducing human-elephant conflict.
He went on to say that another RM900,000 has been allocated to implement human-wildlife conflict mitigation programmes under the Johor Rural Strategic Roadmap, such as the establishment of Wildlife Protection Communities in five villages in high-risk areas.
