ABOUT 30 cattle breeders in the Kinta Valley near Batu Gajah said they have suffered a loss of about RM1.3 million when more than 260 of their livestock went missing, believed to have been stolen over the last three years.

A breeder, K. Kaviyarasan, 38, said he lost 120 cows and 80 buffaloes during that period, worth around RM1 million.

“My family alone has made almost 10 police reports at the Batu Gajah and Kampar police stations, and we cannot fence the area because it would make it easier for thieves to steal the animals if they are all in one place.

“I am worried that if this problem is not addressed immediately, my other 1,000 cows and 500 buffaloes will suffer the same fate because the vast grazing area involves Kampar, Malim Nawar and Batu Gajah,” he told a press conference in Batu Gajah today.

Another breeder, Pang Kee Kheong, 70, said thieves use three methods to commit their crime – leading tame livestock with rope, using tranquilisers, or shooting wild cattle.

He said over 50 of his cows have been stolen, adding that thieves would sell the animals at a low price to middlemen.

Perak Barisan Nasional service and complaints centre secretariat head Mohd Rawi Abdullah said he has received many reports regarding cattle theft and will send Bukit Aman a letter requesting further action. – Bernama, May 21, 2023.