LUMUT: Visitors and tourists are prohibited from engaging in water activities, including swimming, at Teluk Batik beach following the sighting of a saltwater crocodile in the area yesterday.
A spokesperson for the Manjung Municipal Council said that the ban takes effect today and will remain until authorities are confident about the situation and complete safety monitoring of the beach.
The spokesperson said the crocodile was spotted at a jetty owned by Vale Mineral (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, about 2.5 kilometres from Teluk Batik Beach.
"The council, together with the Civil Defence Force and the Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), has conducted monitoring operations and set up several traps as part of efforts to capture the crocodile.
"We urge visitors to comply with directives and refrain from participating in beach activities until further notice.
"However, activities at the park and Teluk Batik Square are still allowed and operating as usual," the spokesperson said.
Observations at the site revealed red flags hoisted near the shoreline, signalling the ban on water activities.
Meanwhile, Manjung district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Hasbullah Abd Rahman, said efforts to track the crocodile have been ongoing since yesterday morning.
"Anyone with information on the incident may contact the Manjung operations room at 05-688 6222 or the WhatsApp hotline at 017-682 8005," he said in a statement today.
It was reported yesterday that the sighting of the unexpected reptile was first recorded on Thursday, and the Civil Defence Force was immediately called at 1.09pm.
A spokesperson said that upon arriving at the beach, they received assistance from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to patrol the area. The sighting was confirmed at 2.24pm.