GUA MUSANG: More than 200 Orang Asli residents of Kampung Perawas, Pos Balar, are worried about their safety following sightings of an adult bear near their settlement since last week.
Villager Hasmadi Ghazali, 44, said he saw the animal near his house and immediately called his neighbours to help chase it away.
"One evening, I heard some noises coming from the side of the house and was surprised to see an adult bear moving towards the durian tree in the back.
"I think the bear came to the village to eat the durians planted by the villagers. We chased it away with spears and knives," he told reporters when met at Pos Balar on Thursday (Dec 29).
Norsiah Along, 48, said she was concerned about the safety of the community, especially the children who often went out to look for durians in the orchards.
"The children usually go to the nearby orchard early in the morning to pick up fallen durians,” she said.
Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) deputy director-general (Planning and Management) Saiful Zahlan Muhamad Azmi said the department had notified the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) about the sightings.
"We will discuss appropriate measures to prevent the animal from entering villages in the area," he said. – Bernama
