Malaysia is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries and home to the endangered Malayan tiger.
However, with development projects springing up like mushrooms after the rain, our forest reserves and tiger population, which currently stands at only 150 left in the wild continue to be threatened.
We always hear about passionate individuals and NGOs fighting for the environment. However, working in activism can get exhausting, especially when change and progress is slow.
Hence, it is always a good motivational boost for the cause and for the people who champion the cause when a prominent figure speaks up in support of them as they tend to be more influential.
Malaysian actress, Sharifah Sofia has recently become the center of praise and support from netizens for her wildlife and nature activism.
To draw attention to the plummeting number of Malayan tigers in Malaysia, she recently trekked 235km from Sungai Relau in Taman Negara Pahang to the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.
According to a poster the actress shared on her Facebook account, the trek called ‘A Walk For Tigers’ started on 6 May and ended on 14 May.
It was organised to urge government agencies to acknowledge the critical state of the population of the Malayan tiger and consequently to protect them.
Upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Sharifah and her team filed a suit demanding for a halt in deforestation that causes a loss in habitat for wildlife, especially tigers.
The energy and natural resources Ministry was named as the respondent along with other governmental agencies.
Netizens’ showed their support
Sharifah’s activism has drawn attention from netizens on Twitter.
Prominent Malaysian cartoonist Zunar, congratulated Sharifah for the work that she has been doing.
“It is very rare to see a celebrity artist in Malaysia who is willing to fight for the environment. Although she might have just sacrificed her career as an artist, but she’s made the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.”
Tahniah @sharifahsofia ,Amat rare bagi artis selebriti di Malaysia yg sanggup berjuang utk pelihara alam sekitar. Mungkin kerjaya anda sebagai artis akan terkorban, tapi anda telah lakukan satu pengorbanan penting utk kemanusian. https://t.co/K5j5cLDuHA pic.twitter.com/ezo1KBxMCs
— Zunar Cartoonist (@zunarkartunis) May 31, 2022
In response to Zunar, Sharifah said that if it came down to it, she would choose the planet over her career.
Will my career be over??
I guess that's a sacrifice needed to be made.
Planet first! https://t.co/MnvF7rJ4DX— Sharifah Sofia ? (@sharifahsofia) May 31, 2022
Meanwhile, netizens also reassured her by saying that if she does lose her career because of her activism, then she would be better off not being in the entertainment industry anyway.
Many netizens also praised Sharifah for using her platform to speak up on an important issue.
One netizen said, “Fight and sacrifice that not everyone has. Extraordinary. A must to support!”
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
