KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has launched an investigation into allegations that payments linked to the transfer of Taiping Zoo elephants Dara, Amoi and Kelat to Japan did not reach the government, amid claims involving transactions worth about RM53 million.

The probe centres on the March relocation of the three elephants from Zoo Taiping & Night Safari to Tennoji Zoo in Osaka under a 25-year conservation and research agreement between the two zoos.

"The investigation is focused on the national resources and environmental sustainability ministry, the wildlife and national parks department, and the agents involved in the elephants' transfer," MACC was quoted as saying by news portal, Free Malay...