The Malaysian Insight

A PROBE into allegations of sexual misconduct and funds appropriations by a senior official at the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) started last week, department director Augustine Tuuga said. 

He told The Malaysian Insight that the investigation into the matter was being conducted by a third party outside the department, but declined to name who was appointed. 

“We are not doing it within the department. A third party is conducting an investigation,” he said. 

“(We are) not sure when we will conclude (the investigation). It depends on the progress of other departments.” 

While investigations are ongoing, Tuuga said former Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) manager Dr Senthilvel KSS Nathan still remains employed in SWD. 

“He’s a veterinary officer. He’s attending to the animals.” 

As for WRU, Tuuga said a senior officer within WRU has taken over for Senthilvel.

Two weeks ago, 31 civil society organisations and 289 individuals issued a joint statement calling for an investigation into Senthilvel. 

Senthilvel was initially removed from his post in WRU following a Facebook post where he described three of his female workers as “bitches”.

The backlash from his social media posting led to his removal from WRU where he had been leading a team of 30 veterinarians and rangers.

While he was no longer in charge of WRU, Nathan remained as an assistant director at SWD.

Subsequently, an ex-WRU staff member Carolina Zulueta posted on Facebook a letter she had written upon her resignation in July 2019 to Tuuga, detailing problems at WRU and Senthilvel’s alleged misconduct, claiming his behaviour wasn’t something new.

Zulueta, a Mexican, said Senthilvel often made unsolicited sexual comments to his female colleagues and also insisted that they sent in selfies every morning.

She also claimed she was in fear of Senthilvel during her time at WRU and always followed his instructions to keep him happy. – November 11, 2021.