| Rokiah Mahmud |
MINISTER of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong said his ministry has identified and installed warning signs in areas where crocodiles are known to frequent.
He revealed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is working with the Wildlife Division under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) on issuing crocodile alerts in risk-prone areas such as Kampong Ayer and the Tutong District’s Waterfront, in addition to several beaches and waterways.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar was responding to a query raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) member and Penghulu of Mukim Telisai Yang Berhormat Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit, on the possible dangers posed by a significant increase in the local crocodile population.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong also took up the question, stating that the Wildlife Division is currently carrying out a public awareness programme on crocodile management, as well as informative roadshows for schoolchildren.
“Efforts and plans to disseminate information on this issue will be carried out via radio, television and print media, as well as through social media channels,” he said.
On the question of trapping permits for crocodiles, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali replied that a further review was necessary, to avoid the over-exploitation of local wildlife.
