#3: The National Icon

"The Malayan tiger is depicted in the coat of arms of Malaysia, symbolising the government and appears in various heraldry of Malaysian institutions such as Maybank and Proton. It symbolizes bravery and strength to Malaysians.

When the Malayan tiger was accepted as a sub-species of the tiger family, the news was warmly received in Malaysia. However, there was soon debate over the scientific naming of the Malayan tiger. Researchers proposed a name to recognize the work by Peter Jackson, a zoologist, with big cats: Panthera tigris jacksoni.

However, the Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (MAZPA) and the Government of Malaysia protested, arguing that Malaysia should have been consulted over the naming of its national icon. Malaysia holds that the naming should reflect the geographical region, Malaysia. In Malaysia, therefore, the Malayan tiger is known as Panthera tigris malayensis."

One would assume that if you were to protest and argue so passionately over the name of something, you should be making your utmost effort to care for its welfare.

Besides, it would be VERY EMBARASSING INDEED if the 500 or so tigers in the wild were to be extinct, and the only example of a Malayan Tiger you could ever show someone who asks is the symbol of a car. Or a bank. Or a football association. Or the t-shirts of the athletes. **


Think about it.

**or the pictures that I have drawn.