Loke: New measures to safeguard wildlife, road users on East–West Highway

New Straits Times

13-05-2025

PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will collaborate closely with the Public Works Ministry and the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to enhance safety measures on the East–West Highway, following a tragic accident in which a lorry fatally struck an elephant two days ago.
Minister Anthony Loke said that the incident, which has garnered widespread public attention, highlighted the urgent need to better protect areas frequently used by wildlife.
"Among the measures under consideration are improved lighting and the construction of wildlife crossings to reduce the risk of such incidents in the future. This was a heartbreaking accident, and we are all deeply saddened by it," he said at a press conference following the Cabinet Committee meeting on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
Loke said that proactive steps were being taken by the ministry to reassess road and railway routes identified as high-risk areas for both wildlife and humans.
He said that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project already included mitigation features such as dedicated wildlife tracks, crossings, and tunnels beneath the railway lines to facilitate safe animal passage.
"We will also explore incorporating similar features along the Gemas–Johor Baru rail line, as there have been previous incidents of elephants crossing the tracks in that area. These efforts are critical, as high-speed trains pose serious dangers to wildlife, and collisions can result in severe consequences for both animals and people," he added.
On May 11, a male elephant calf was struck and killed by a lorry early in the morning while travelling along Jalan Gerik-Jeli, also known as the East–West Highway.
The mother elephant remained at the scene, refusing to leave her calf until she was sedated and relocated.