AN Orang Asli man from the Bateq tribe went missing after a tiger attack yesterday while fishing in the upper reaches of Sungai Aring in Kampung Aring 5, Gua Musang.

At the time of the 11.30am attack, the victim, Halim Asin, 27, was fishing with his eight-year-old nephew Alang Kuang.

Alang’s father, Kuang Camang, 31, said his son said the tiger pounced on them while they were fishing.

“My son, who was shocked, immediately jumped into the river and swam away to save himself before telling us about the incident about 500m from the location.

“We managed to inspect the scene but my brother-in-law was nowhere in sight,” he said today.

Prior to the attack, Kuang was travelling with seven people, including the victim, from Kampung Cangkung, Pahang, to Kampung Aring 5 on foot. The group stopped to rest at Sungai Aring.

“Before Ramadan, we went to Kampung Cangkung and stayed there for a month. Then we departed on foot to return to Kampung Aring 5 on Saturday.

“At 11am yesterday, I, my wife, four children, Halim and his father arrived at Sungai Aring and set up camp on the edge of the river to spend the night because we wanted to catch fish,” he said.

Kuang said after the tiger attack, the group left for Kampung Aring 5 at 1.30pm and reported the incident to the village head and residents when they arrived at 5.30pm. 

Gua Musang police chief Sik Choon Foo confirmed receiving a report related to the disappearance of the Bateq man at 10pm last night.

He said a search operation began today. – Bernama, May 11, 2023.