THE term “monkeying around” has taken nuisance to a new level for residents of Taman Mahkota Idaman, Indera Mahkota 14, Kuantan, for the past year.
SHAHRUL NIZAM MOHAMAD , who has been living in the housing estate for three years with his 20-year-old wife and 3-year-old daughter, says the primates come from the nearby forest in the afternoon.
The 36-year-old freelance journalist says the primates, mostly the long-tailed macaques and “lotong” are attracted by food in the houses there and would try to enter the buildings through the windows and doors.
“My wife keeps the windows and doors shut since the monkeys came,” he says, adding that he is concerned about his family’s safety.
He says he has seen a kid chased by a monkey, which tried to snatch his food packet. Luckily, he managed to chase the animal away.
“However, I am wary of the monkeys as they can be aggressive and sometimes bite.”
He says residents keep each other updated on the matter through their WhatsApp group.
They share tips on how to keep the monkeys at bay. Shahrul Nizam, hopes the Kuantan Municipal Council will alleviate the residents’ fear and take immediate action.
ACTIONLINE : A representative from the Pahang Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) urges the residents of Taman Mahkota Idaman to lodge a complaint with the department so that immediate action can be taken to tackle the problem.
They can call 09-5177733 to file their complaints. He says the risks of wild animals coming into contact with humans are higher in residential areas near forests, such as Taman Mahkota Idaman.
He adds that the Kuantan Municipal Council has no jurisdiction to deal with the issue of wild animals harassing residents.
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