Bateq children in Kg Aring 5 playing under the watchful eyes of adults, who have stopped them from playing beyond the confines of the village until the tiger said to be roaming the area is caught. – BERNAMApic
GUA MUSANG: The Orang Asli Bateq community in Kampung Aring 5 here claim tigers have been prowling near their village in the past week.
Resident Ayob Abdul Razak, 35, said a few of them came across tiger tracks near a river about 3km from the village.
"A few days ago, at about 11.30am, my friends and I went to bathe at the river and we found tiger footprints.
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"We are very sure those are tiger tracks. I snapped pictures and sent them to my neighbourhood WhatsApp group and also asked the villagers to be alert when going down to the river or when they are out of their homes,” he said when met at the village on Friday (May 19).
Aring 5 Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKOA) chairman Mohd Fazli Mamok, meanwhile, claimed that villagers also found tiger tracks at a nearby oil palm plantation.
"There are residents who also saw a tiger roaming in the plantation, about 400 to 600 metres from here," he added.
Aring 5 Tok Batin (headman) Raina Anjang hoped the authorities would act promptly.
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"I am worried for the safety of the people. And I have suggested that perhaps they should not venture into the jungle for work as long as the tiger is not caught.
"That is why I hope it can be caught as soon as possible, or the villagers’ income will be greatly affected,” he said.
Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim said he would urge the relevant authorities to take swift action.
"We have brought up the threat posed by wildlife to the Gua Musang community previously. InsyaAllah on Monday (May 22), we will bring up the matter again at the state assembly sitting,” he said.
On May 9, Kampung Aring 5 resident Halim Asin, 27, died after he was attacked by a tiger while fishing with his nephew at Sungai Aring. – Bernama
