Kelantan sun bear sightings spark fear among 3,000 Taman Agropolitan residents
Resident Siti Aminah Zakaria, 44, said she saw the mammal herself as it was attempting to get jackfruit from a tree just three metres in front of her house.
'I first saw the animal, which was about one metre tall, approaching the jackfruit tree the day before yesterday at around 6pm. My child was outside the house at the time and screamed in shock before running to get me.
'Then yesterday, it appeared in the parking area of my neighbour's house around 11am. The neighbour, who was hanging clothes at the time, was startled and ran inside,' she told reporters when met today.
Another resident, Mohd Syawal Imran Abdul Rahim, 17, said he too saw the bear two days ago, digging into a termite mound near a resident's house.
'I quickly recorded the animal's actions and shared it with the neighbourhood's WhatsApp group to alert residents,' he said.
Taman Agropolitan Residents' Safety and Development Committee (JKKT) Chairman Roslee Ibrahim, 51, said a bear was spotted roaming around Phase 1 of the residential area approximately three months ago. It was also observed in Kampung 10 two weeks ago.
'Apart from the financial losses, residents are worried about safety after seeing claw marks left by the bear on tree trunks. We are concerned the bear will become bolder and start entering people's homes,' he said.
Nenggiri State Assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani said a report has been lodged with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) regarding the presence of the wild animal.
'We hope preventive action, including the installation of traps, can be carried out immediately to ensure the safety of residents,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
25 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
‘We can't be there 24/7': JPJ proposes CCTV to punish lane abuse by motorists, cyclists
KUALA LUMPUR July 20 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is exploring the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to monitor and act against motorists who encroach into bicycle lanes. The proposal was floated to improve cyclist safety without the need for constant on-ground enforcement, Putrajaya JPJ assistant director (operations) Mohd Alifarihan Abdullah said today. 'We can't be there 24/7, but if we install CCTVs at key points, we can record evidence and take appropriate action. 'We know bicycle lanes and emergency lanes are encroached regularly creating hazardous situations. 'We've seen cases where motorcycles are clearly in the wrong lane, and with video evidence, we can issue summonses or even arrest repeat offenders,' ,' he said during a town hall session titled 'Public Roads Don't Belong to Bicycle Gangs' at Pantai Dalam here. The public talk was moderated by former sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, an avid cyclist who has experienced a nasty fall into a pothole while cycling. JPJ assistant director (operations) Mohd Alifarihan Abdullah speaks during a public forum titled 'Public Roads Don't Belong to Bicycle Gangs' at Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur on July 20, 2025. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Cycling advocacy has grown in recent years, but so too have conflicts between cyclists and other road users. A recent video clip shared online showing an MRT feeder bus driving close to a group of cyclists who were riding abreast on a narrow street, leading to a brief confrontation reignited debate over road safety. During the town hall session, other speakers pointed to common offences committed by both groups, such as cyclists ignoring traffic lights or veering across lanes, and motorcyclists entering bicycle paths. The JPJ officer noted that while laws do exist to protect cyclists, enforcement is difficult due to vague practices and inconsistent road behaviour, particularly when cyclists ride two-abreast. Alifarihan said that 'many cyclists themselves are not fully compliant' with traffic rules in real life. 'Some prefer riding in long columns, others in pairs, and that creates a grey area for enforcement. We need to modernise our approach to make cycling safer,' he added.
Malay Mail
25 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Dashcams on all public vehicles? JPJ says it's a good idea
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is considering making dashboard cameras (dashcams) compulsory in all public transport vehicles. JPJ assistant director (operations) Mohd Alifarihan Abdullah said current regulations only require these vehicles to be equipped with a GPS system. 'The licences and conditions for public vehicles are only GPS and is why having dashcams compulsory is a good idea but for now it's only mandatory to have a GPS,' he said a forum titled 'Public Roads Don't Belong to Bicycle Gangs' held in Pantai Dalam today. The proposal comes after a viral video showed an MRT feeder bus driving too close to a group of cyclists riding abreast on a narrow road, sparking a brief confrontation. Rapid KL has since launched an internal investigation into the incident. One of the cyclists involved raised the issue during the forum, which was moderated by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Also on the panel was Bukit Aman Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department deputy director of enforcement Khairul Azhar Ismail. Khairul noted that while offences involving cyclists rarely reach the police, motorists are more often caught for alcohol consumption or misusing road lanes. As public calls for safer infrastructure and clearer regulations grow, he stressed the need for shared responsibility on the road. 'Understanding each other's rights and responsibilities is key. If we all follow the rules, safety will improve not just for cyclists, but for everyone,' he said.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Man in viral 4WD road rage incident claims he was rushing home to see mother who had fallen
KLANG, July 20 — The man who was seen trying to squeeze his four-wheel drive between other vehicles and threatening other road users on the Selat Klang Highway on Thursday, as captured in a viral video, has claimed he was on his way to his mother's house because she had suffered a fall. Klang Utara police chief ACP S. Vijaya Rao said that following the incident, the 29-year-old man turned up at the Traffic Division of the Klang Utara Police Headquarters here, accompanied by his lawyer, to lodge a report at about 10 pm yesterday. 'Based on his statement, the suspect said he was heading to his mother's house to take her to the hospital after she fell at home,' he said in a statement today. He said the man was detained at 1.30 am to undergo a urine test, which came back negative for drugs, and was released on police bail at 3 am. He added that the case has been reclassified under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving. Local media reported yesterday that police were tracking down the driver involved in the incident based on the viral video. — Bernama
