Malaysian Photographer’s National Geographic Claim Exposed As Fake
National Geographic Denies Malaysian Photographer’s Claim
A Malaysian photographer’s claim that he was selected for National Geographic’s prestigious Explorer programme has been called out as false — with the organisation labelling his acceptance letter “fraudulent.”
Tinesh Sritharan had publicly stated he was chosen to document the Great Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, planning to spend up to 10 days capturing high-resolution wildlife images for National Geographic.
The announcement brought him praise and congratulations from fellow Malaysians, as well as sponsorships. But a quick check by local news portal SAYS found his name missing from National Geographic’s official Explorer directory.
“The Letter Is Fraudulent,” Says National Geographic
National Geographic’s senior manager, Natasha Daly, told “Tinesh Sritharan is not an Explorer. The letter you’ve attached is a fraudulent letter that is not genuine.”
Tinesh responded by saying he was “confused” about the situation.
He claimed to have pitched his wildlife photography project to National Geographic in November 2024, but never received a reply. Then, in April, he allegedly got an approval email — but it came from a Gmail address, not an official National Geographic domain.
“I just don’t understand what is going on. Did someone play a prank on me or something?” he said.
MIC & Sponsors Backed the Trip
Tinesh had secured backing from several sponsors, including MIC, which provided RM15,000 for his Kenya expedition.
During the cheque presentation, MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran described the moment as a proud one, saying Tinesh’s journey “demonstrated the resilience of Malaysian youth” and that MIC was honoured to support him in representing the Malaysian spirit internationally.
The photographer was scheduled to depart for Kenya on 10 August.
Industry Support for the “Assignment”
Beyond MIC, Tinesh also received support from the Wedding Professionals Alliance Malaysia (WPAM), which said they were honoured to help “empower Malaysian talent on the global stage.”
In collaboration with Sony Malaysia, WPAM ensured Tinesh had access to top-tier equipment, including Sony’s latest 400–800mm telephoto lens, via Alpha Universe Malaysia, to capture what they believed would be powerful wildlife stories from the Maasai Mara.
Disclaimer – NasiLemakDaily:
The views expressed in this article are based on eyewitness accounts and available reports. NasiLemakDaily does not endorse any discriminatory remarks mentioned in the incident.
