Press Releases
Date: 22 October 2021
Sabah Government should Investigate Claims on Sexual Harrassment and Misappopriation of Funds in Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit
We, the undersigned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and individuals are highly concerned by
the allegations of sexual and monetary misconduct happening at a government department, and
demand an immediate response from the relevant authorities regarding this matter.
On 19 October 2021, a senior executive of the Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Rescue Unit
(WRU) posted a Facebook photo1 of three young women with a caption using a derogatory term
used to describe female dogs. The post was taken down shortly after with an amended caption and
a short apology. However, new posts accusing the same senior executive of various misdeeds that
had previously happened in the department, arose the same day.
Facebook user Carolina Zu, who is an ex-staff of the department, shared a letter that she had
written on Facebook, addressed to the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) Director Augustine
Tuuga on 5 July 2019 upon her resignation from the department. In her letter, she shared her
disappointment of working in WRU, which she described as a “tense and hostile work
environment”. She claimed that the funds were not properly allocated to necessary services, and
salaries were not paid in full, while used lavishly on unnecessary and inappropriate expenses. She
also highlighted several disturbing incidents of harassment and unethical behaviour, including
name-calling. As to date, her post has been shared 440 times since being uploaded.
More incriminating information has just been released today (21 October 2021) on her Facebook,
showing screenshots of inappropriate messages sent through WhatsApp3.
We believe that this is cause for concern as this involves public funds. We are also concerned with
the disrespectful behaviour and treatment towards women working in the department.
In light of the above, we strongly urge the Sabah government to investigate the claims in
Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) and provide a proper response as this is a matter of public
concern.
Link to Facebook Images:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10219329941294491&set=a.1253505212959
https://www.facebook.com/1089411378/posts/10219330377065385/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/1089411378/posts/10219336305653596/?sfnsn=mo
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