ISKANDAR PUTERI: An assemblyman has suggested that the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) be privatised to ensure better protection of wild animals in Johor.

       Johor Lama assemblyman Rosleli Jahari (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) said this during the state assembly meeting held on Monday (Aug 23).

       Rosleli added that over 400ha of palm oil plantations had been destroyed with three deaths due to human-elephant conflict within the Kota Tinggi district since 2011.

       "Privatising Perhilitan would allow it to deal with such problems more efficiently and lessen the losses suffered by settlers in the area," he said, adding that Felda had spent RM377,000 to put up electric fences along more than 17.3km and allocated a further RM326,000 to dig 36.8km of trenches.

       He said the initiatives were carried out at four Felda areas around Kota Tinggi, which is Felda Lok Heng Timur, Lok Heng Barat, Felda Easter and Felda Pasak.