Kuala lumpur: The Biodiversity Protection and Patrol (BP3) programme, implemented by the government since 2019, is showing encouraging results, with Malaysia's Malayan tiger population increasing following intensified enforcement patrols and tougher action against poaching. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said monitoring conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has indicated positive developments for the country's iconic species, with updated population figures expected to be announced soon.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Arthur Joseph Kurup stated that the number of arrests has increased, with some cases proceeding to court, significantly strengthening efforts to curb illegal activities threatening the Malayan tiger population. Over the past few years, conservation efforts have shown promising results, with the Malayan tiger population trending upwards. Kurup shared these insights with reporters after officiating the World Tiger Day 2026 celebration.
Arthur highlighted that progress was achieved through implementing nine strategic conservation actions under the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan 2021-2030. These actions focus on halting the species' decline, strengthening conservation governance, and ensuring its long-term survival. As of July this year, the BP3 programme had covered approximately 60 per cent of key wildlife habitats in Peninsular Malaysia, spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometres.
"Seven series of 'Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah' (OBK) conducted this year led to the removal of 29 snares, the discovery of 47 illegal campsites, and the detection of seven cases involving the felling and tapping of 'karas' (agarwood) trees," Arthur said. The operations also uncovered 185 signs of illegal hunting and 151 indicators of human activity within protected forest areas.
During 3,684 patrol operations covering more than 99,000 kilometres, enforcement officers opened 56 investigation papers, resulting in the detention of 70 individuals, comprising 43 Malaysians and 27 foreign nationals. The total value of seized items was estimated at RM4.2 million. Arthur added that the ministry aims to appoint 2,500 Community Rangers nationwide, including 1,950 under PERHILITAN, to further strengthen patrols and monitoring activities in wildlife habitats.
He emphasized the importance of these efforts, recalling that the First National Tiger Survey conducted between 2016 and 2020 estimated the Malayan tiger population in Malaysia at fewer than 150 individuals. Arthur also mentioned the government's commitment to continuing the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) mechanism, with allocations exceeding RM1.05 billion, to encourage state governments to gazette new protected areas. As a result of the EFT initiative, nearly 90,000 hectares of new protected areas have been gazetted across Peninsular Malaysia, further strengthening the Malayan tiger's habitat.
On captive breeding efforts, Arthur noted that the Malayan Tiger Captive Breeding Programme (MyBIT) has recorded positive progress, with five cubs born since 2024, three in 2025, and two more this year.