For the past week, residents of Kampung Kemat here have been living in apprehension due to the frequent appearances of a roaming bear.
Kamaruddin Ali, 61, a resident of the village, reported that the bear has been sighted on more than five occasions, wandering around the outskirts of the village.
He recalled the first sighting when a fellow villager, who also runs a school canteen, spotted the bear at approximately 4 am while on his way to work. The latest incident occurred two days ago when political party workers, returning home after putting up party posters and flags, came face-to-face with the bear on the roadside.
The newly-arrived residents were unable to proceed on their journey home, waiting anxiously until the bear disappeared into the nearby bushes. With the ongoing political campaigning season, party workers often spend nights hanging flags around the village, making them vulnerable to such dangers.
According to local authorities, this is the first time a bear has been spotted roaming around the village, as they usually stay within the confines of the nearby forests. The incident has been reported to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) for appropriate action.
Residents expressed their concerns about the safety of children and those commuting to and from work, especially during nighttime encounters with the bear. This is not the first sighting, as the bear has been spotted around the village's roadside area on five different occasions.
With the hope of preventing future incidents and ensuring the safety of the village's inhabitants, residents are calling for the bear to be captured and relocated to a safer environment away from human settlements. In light of this alarming event, residents are urged to remain vigilant and consider enhancing their security measures to deter potential criminals, both human and animal.
The community, along with the efforts of law enforcement and wildlife authorities, aims to find a swift resolution to this issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.
