KINABATANGAN: Villagers in Mukim Batu Puteh are appealing to the relevant authorities for urgent assistance following recurring wild elephant attacks across three villages in the area since July 25.
Kampung Perpaduan Datuk Mohd Ugi Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Azman Amirbek said the repeated intrusions—particularly at night—have raised serious safety concerns for residents, their crops, properties, and livelihoods.
The three affected villages are Kampung Perpaduan Datuk Mohd Ugi, Kampung Batu Puteh, and Kampung Manggaris.
Azman attributed the elephant encroachments to an obsolete and non-functional control panel along the TRC Fence circuit, a barrier built years ago through a joint initiative between a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and local residents that now requires immediate upgrading.
While thanking the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) for its continuous effort in chasing off the herds alongside locals, he urged NGOs, private companies, community leaders, and government agencies to collaborate in repairing the fence so wildlife conservation and community safety can go hand in hand.