Outsiders prohibited from entering tiger operation areas: Police

GUA MUSANG: Outsiders are prohibited from entering Orang Asli settlements here, especially in Pos Bihai, following several tiger sightings recently.

District police chief Superintendent Sik Choon Foo said only relevant enforcement agencies such as the police and Wildlife rangers are allowed to enter the settlement, which has been declared as an 'operation area'.

He said the ban started following the recent tiger attack which killed an Orang Asli man in Kampung Sau.

"The operation by the rangers started last month following tiger sightings in the settlement, but had been extended further following the fatal attack early this month.

"Since then, outsiders are not allowed to enter the settlement for security reasons," he added.

He said the district police recorded two tiger attacks since last year.

The first one, he said, involved a 48-year-old Orang Asli man who was injured after being attacked by a tiger.

Sik said the incident happened at Kampung Badak near Pos Bihai in July, last year.

"The second involved a 59-year-old Orang Asli who was mauled by a tiger at Kampung Sau, also in Pos Bihai early this month," he added.

Since then, he said police did not receive any report on tiger attacks, but confirmed receiving several reports on the animal's sightings in several Orang Asli villages in the district.