Sabah tourism minister bombarded with issues related to crocodiles, monkeys and pigeons

 By Olivia Miwil - December 8, 2021 @ 7:50pm

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin was bombarded with issues related to crocodiles, monkeys and pigeons while winding up during the State Assembly sitting. - File pic.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin was bombarded with issues related to crocodiles, monkeys and pigeons while winding up during the State Assembly sitting.

While replying to an issue raised by Hassan A. Gani Pg Amir (GRS-Sebatik) on crocodile attacks in Kampung Serudung Laut and Sungai Berantian, other assemblymen stood up for more questions.

Mokran Ingkat (GRS-Sungai Manila) asked whether the ministry would consider lifting the protection status to crocodiles as Sarawak did in 2016 as the crocodile population was growing and endangering the people.

Assafal Alian (Warisan-Tungku) suggested that the relevant authorities should strictly enforce a riparian reserve policy to control the oil palm plantation from encroaching the wildlife habitat and food corridor that led to the animals attacking humans.

Azhar Matussin (Warisan-Darau) also raised concerns that reptiles from Tuaran Crocodile Farm had escaped during floods.

"Crocodiles are a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and we are not allowed to destroy them unless they are endangering the people.

"Therefore, the Sabah Wildlife Department installed warning signboards at suspected areas with crocodiles that threaten the safety and lives of people.

"Locals are also required to be more alert to prevent them from getting exposed to crocodile attacks," he said, adding that the Wildlife Department in Tawau had compensated the victims via the Wild/Dangerous Animal Attack Victims Assistance Trust Fund from the Sabah General Welfare Services Department and had set up traps at both places.

Jafry also added that apart from complaints from Bongawan assemblyman Daud Yusof and Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt, the Wildlife Department also received complaints from the public on monkeys that caused nuisance and damaged property all over the state.

The disturbance from these monkeys is driven by the opening up of the forest area that was once the habitat of these animals.

"My ministry through the Sabah Wildlife Department always takes action on the complaints received by capturing and moving the monkeys that cause problems in the area."

Also raising a complaint was Justin Wong Yung Bin (DAP-Sri Tanjong) on the presence of many pigeons, whose droppings caused damage to cars and were hazardous to people's health.

For the Telupid human-elephant conflict, Jaffry said the Wildlife Department had created a Whatsapp group with non-government organisations, rangers and local community to act swiftly in times of emergency; the installation of electric fences as well as having elephant control teams.