A GOVERNMENT search team has found what is believed to be the remains of an Orang Asli in Gua Musang, as the authorities work on ascertaining the cause of death of 14 Bateq tribe members over the past month.

Kelantan police chief Hasanuddin Hassan said the team – one of three deployed – found bone fragments at a site about 7km from Kg Kuala Koh.

“The search took two hours. We put up a sign in the area, indicating it is the location of the first grave.

“We will continue looking for the other 11 graves based on the information given by the village head,” he said at the entrance to Kg Kuala Koh.

The General Operations Force earlier today blocked access to the village in preparation for the authorities’ entry into the jungle to mark sites where the bodies of 12 Bateq Orang Asli were placed after their deaths from an illness.

The barricade was erected at 7am some 8km from the village. Only the authorities are permitted to enter the area.

The authorities have said the illness is a lung or respiratory infection.

Hasanuddin said the area will be blocked off to the public until the search is completed.

“This is a red zone, and we don’t know how far it (the disease) can spread.

“Our main aim here is to ensure the people’s safety and look for victims’ bodies.”

On the bone fragments found, he said they will be handled by forensic experts.

“We’ll leave it to them. The bones were scattered, this may have been done by wild animals.

“Police won’t use the K9 unit because the Bateq tribe knows where the bodies were placed.”

He said the three search teams comprised 10 to 11 members each from agencies including the Fire and Rescue Department, and forensic experts.

“The search also includes members of the state Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) and the Bateq tribe, as it involves their rituals. So before we do anything, we’ll refer to Jakoa.

“The main thing is, we want to locate the sites where the bodies were placed.” – June 12, 2019.