Villagers terrorised by King Cobra

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MALACCA: Villagers at Kampung Attap in Ujong Pasir are living in fear as a King Cobra is on the prowl around their neighbourhood.

So far, about 10 people had sighted the venomous reptile in the area.

Kota Melaka Barisan Nasional complaints bureau chief Ronald Gan Ying Hoe said people became paranoid over the snake issue.

He added that even the local council workers and postmen were afraid to enter the area.

Fearful: Residents gripped by fear of King Cobra.

“Stories about a King Cobra and Anaconda swallowing people alive at a supermarket here in Cheng are merely rumours, but in the case of a King Cobra sighted at the housing estate is genuine,” he said.

Gan added that he had tried resolve the issue, but to no avail as the natural habitat for the large snake had been cleared for development.

“The area is situated on a privately-owned land which is fenced, and that made it difficult for the city council to exterminate the reptile’s brooding ground.

“Furthermore, the landscape at Kampung Attap which is close to the sea with plenty of undergrowth are considered as an ideal habitat for the King Cobra,” he said.

The matter, he added, was also raised to the state National Park and Wildlife Department.

But in accordance to the Law, no one could enter a private property to capture the reptile without the owner’s consent.

“I am constantly bombarded by the residents for not addressing their plight but my hands are tied too.

“They are asking me whether the authority will only act if there is a fatal attack and also threatened not to support Barisan in te next general election if the snake issue is not settled,” he said.

Gan added that residents in Kampung Attap had kept away from their own backyards fearing snake attacks.

“The backlanes of the housing estate is brimming cobras and even garbage collectors are afraid to enter the area.”

One of the residents, Suzie Chee, 56 said the snakes began to appear at the housing estate since a secondary jungle nearby was cleared for development earlier this year.

She addded that the cobras came out in search of prey in the neighbourhood after their natural habitat was destroyed.

“There has been numerous sightings of snakes in our neighbourhood and fortunately, one of my neighbours who had knowledge on how to handle the reptiles had driven them away,” she said.