Farmers lose thousands of ringgit to wild jumbos
The Star
February 3, 2025
Farmers near Paya Bungor in Kuantan have lost tens of thousands of ringgit
over the past few weeks after rampaging herds of elephants in search of
food, destroyed their oil palm saplings, Harian Metro reported.
The farmers from Kampung Paya Rambutan believed the pachyderms came from
neighbouring Berkelah Forest Reserve after they moved there from the Remen
Chereh Forest Reserve.
Mohd Nazri Mohd Mokhtar, 52, claimed the herds ventured into farmers’ small
holdings and orchards after their habitat was cleared for oil palm
plantation.
“The elephants started appearing in Kampung Paya Rambutan four years ago,
but their presence has become more frequent.
“There are three herds of between eight and 12 elephants that invade our
orchards and the latest attack was on Jan 31 where they destroyed many oil
palm trees,” he said, adding that he lost 50 trees in the latest incident.
Another farmer, Jamsari Mohammad, 58, said he had to bear losses of more
than RM50,000 after his four-year-old oil palm saplings were destroyed.
“The first wild elephant attack occurred early this month and more than 300
oil palm saplings belonging to five farmers were destroyed.
“They are becoming more aggressive when they entered the plantations twice
last week. It is possible a different herd entered the plantations each
time.”
Farmers have lodged a complaint with the Pahang Wildlife and National Parks
Department and the agency is looking into the problem.
Shared by TikTok user Cikiyin, the video of the child casually pedalling
her bicycle has caused some viewers to comment that she has the potential
of becoming a national cyclist one day.
“When she grows up, she can replace Datuk Azizul in the keirin event,”
joked Ahmad Tirmizi, referring to two-time Olympic medallist Azizulhasni
Awang.
“My daughter is the same, riding a bicycle without tyres, casually using
the rim to move,” said one user named Rabie Adawiyah.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/02/03/farmers-lose-thousands-of-ringgit-to-wild-jumbos