Elephant wrecks homestay and orchard in Baling village
Villager Idris Yaakob, 57, said the incident was discovered by the homestay owner when he went to check on his durian orchard in the area on Sunday.
Idris said various items, including a washing machine were trampled and destroyed, while fruit trees such as cempedak, rambutan, banana, sugarcane and coconut were also damaged.
"The homestay owner doesn't live there. His house is in a residential area in Pekan Baling but he often visits to tend to his fruit trees. That's when he realised the extent of the damage, believed to have occurred since Saturday.
"It's fruit season now and the elephant came for the fruits. The homestay is located on a hill not far from the Gunung Inas Forest Reserve and about 500m from the nearest houses.
"Since Saturday, the elephant has been showing up almost every night from around 11pm until the early hours," he said when contacted today.
Idris said the village, which has more than 600 residents, mostly comprises rubber tappers, many of whom are now afraid to leave their homes for work in the early morning.
"So far, only the homestay, one other house and fruit crops belonging to Shafie, a schoolteacher, have been damaged.
"But the villagers are worried the elephant will return as there are many fruit trees in the area and the fruits are ripening," he said.
Idris said the damage is estimated at over RM40,000, including losses from the homestay, crops and electric fencing which was also destroyed.
He added that villagers now avoid going out at night and keep their doors and windows tightly shut, fearing another visit by the elephant.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
12 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Accountant clerk claims trial to three CBT charges
KOTA KINABALU (July 4): An accountant clerk claimed trial in the Sessions Courts here today to three criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges. In the first case, Brandon Ng Jia Lie, who was brought before judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim, was accused of cashing five company's cheques worth RM32,719.60 between February 3 and July 27, 2023. In the second case before judge Elsie Primus, Ng was alleged to have cashed eight cheques of the same company between February 29 and December 29, 2022. In the third case, Ng, who appeared before judge Hurman Hussain, was charged with cashing two cheques of the same company between November 16 and December 31, 2021. These three alleged offences were committed at a bank branch here and Ng had allegedly cashed the cheques to his own bank account. The judges had fixed the same date of August 12 for pre-trial case management. Ng was released on RM15,000 bail for the three charges with two local sureties. He was unrepresented.
Sinar Daily
14 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Consumer group urges BNM, KPDN to overhaul repossession laws amid unethical conduct claims
PPIM demands probe into banks over alleged unethical car repossessions Nadzim (left) shows a clip of car repossession agents allegedly entering a gated residential area without proper authorisation. SHAH ALAM – The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) has called on Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to review and revise current laws and policies surrounding vehicle repossession, citing growing concerns over unethical conduct. Its chief activist, Datuk Nadzim Johan referred to a recent incident involving a group of car repossession agents. Nadzim (left) stated that the agents failed to provide official identification or original documents, offering only photocopies as proof of authority. They allegedly entered a gated residential area without proper authorisation, claiming a court order to tow a vehicle. He recounted that the agents failed to provide any official identification or original documents, showing only photocopies as proof of authority. "When I confronted them, I asked for their ID or pass. They claimed they had a court order, but what they showed was just a photocopy. We need the original document. "They said they could repossess the vehicle anytime, even in the middle of the night. What kind of law allows that?" he told Sinar Daily. According to Nadzim, the situation occurred on Saturday, when courts and government offices were closed, leaving the car owner unable to verify the legitimacy of the repossession. Despite this, the agents allegedly pushed forward with their actions. While they initially agreed to return the following Monday, Nadzim said the agents arrived early in the morning and entered the premises without waiting for any verification process. "They were trying to repossess a Nissan and the outstanding amount was only RM12,000. Yet, they showed up with 20 people, like they were going to war," he said. He further claimed the person targeted wasn't the owner of the vehicle but a guarantor who was unable to continue payments due to undergoing cancer treatment. "Even if the car is auctioned later, the guarantor won't get anything back, even though the car is worth RM50,000 to RM60,000," he added. Nadzim stressed the need for KPDN and Bank Negara to implement a more stringent and compassionate framework for handling such cases. "We want to know who processes these repossessions? On what days can it be done? Who approves it? There must be a thorough review. Don't push the public to the point where something unfortunate happens," he said. He also criticised some agents for acting like gangsters and trespassing onto private property, alleging that banks gave them unchecked power with little to no oversight. He said such practices must be stopped immediately. PPIM plans to meet with KPDN soon and urged BNM to launch investigations into any banking institutions found to be involved in illegal or unethical car repossession activities.
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes RM520,000 worth of e-cigarettes in Kelantan
TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 2,600 units of electronic cigarettes worth about RM520,000 in an operation here on Wednesday. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said a man was also arrested in the 10.30am raid. He said the operation took place at an illegal jetty in Kampung Tengkorak. "The GOF team was conducting a routine operation when they spotted a suspicious four-wheel-drive vehicle parked in the area. "While they were checking the vehicle, a man approached and claimed ownership of it. "Further inspection led to the discovery of 2,600 units of electronic cigarettes, estimated to be worth RM520,000," he said. He said the man, who is a local, was subsequently arrested. He said the confiscated items were handed over to the state Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for further action. The case is being investigated under Rules 4(1), 4(2), and 6 of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Cigarette Devices) Order 2022.
