GUA MUSANG: Approximately 30 plantation owners in the Meranto area here are now fearful of venturing into their oil palm and rubber plantations following the recent attacks by tigers in the area since yesterday morning.
Zulkiflie Sulaman, 39, a resident of Meranto, said that the attacks occurred in the plantation areas owned by villagers in the vicinity. Due to the consecutive attacks, residents are now reluctant to enter their oil palm and rubber plantations in the affected area.
"The distance between the first and second incidents is only 10 kilometres, and we believe it is the same tiger attacking the victims. Now, especially plantation owners, are afraid to go to their oil palm and rubber plantations. We hope this issue can be resolved as soon as possible," he said when contacted today.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Roziman Shafli, 38, said that previously, residents only faced disturbances from marauding panthers that troubled the villagers' cattle.
"Now we are facing incidents of attacks by 'Pak Belang' on humans. Previously, many of our cattle fell victim to panther attacks. I hope the authorities can promptly capture the tiger, which is now a threat to us plantation owners.
"Now, even going out to tap rubber makes us anxious, despite it being our source of income here," he added.
Earlier, the media reported that a Myanmar national died after being attacked by a tiger while tapping rubber in Ladang Meranto yesterday afternoon.
The victim, Ahka Soe Ya, 22, was reportedly tapping rubber in the field with his wife when the tiger approached.