NINE of the 15 Orang Asli families of the Temiar tribe in Kampung Bujuk, Pos Bihai, Gua Musang, are forced to leave their homes for fear of attacks by wild elephants.

Asu Pandak, 65, a resident of Kampung Bujuk, said he and his family were now staying at a relative’s house in Kampung Tendrik, Pos Bihai, as their bamboo house had been damaged by wild elephants.

“The elephants intruded into our village at about 5am on Wednesday. We were sleeping and lucky to be awakened by the noise of the rampaging elephants. We managed to save ourselves and flee to a nearby village.

“Prior to this, the elephants had also intruded into other areas and damaged crops such as bananas and cassava,” he told reporters today.

Also affected by elephant attacks are the residents of Kampung Hak, another Orang Asli settlement in Pos Bihai.

Apek Asud, 39, a resident, said the latest incident took place yesterday, during which the beasts damaged a house.

He said attacks by wild elephants and the sighting of tigers are threatening the livelihood of the 52 residents in the two villages.

“How can we go out to earn a living? We just don’t know who to turn to anymore. We appeal to the authorities concerned to please find a way to solve the problem,” he said.

Meanwhile, Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said the threat of elephants and tigers in the Orang Asli settlement is an ongoing problem.

He said he would send food baskets to the affected families as immediate assistance. – Bernama, October 27, 2023.