MELAKA – State exco Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee is hogging the headlines with his announcement that Melaka will form a task force to eradicate wild boars that are said to be a public nuisance.
He said the committee is needed following growing complaints from residents here.
“We need RM941,000 for this exercise. It includes 100 special traps, bullets, administrative equipment. Each item costs between RM600 and RM1,800. There is also a need to have traps for monkeys and snakes,” he told Utusan Malaysia yesterday.
There will be a campaign to remove such wildlife in an integrated operation that will require permits from police.
Norhizam said he will write to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali for the allocation and mandate.
Earlier, state Wildlife and National Parks Department director Mohd Hasdi Husin was reported as saying 457 wild boars (Sus scrofa) had been put down in 123 operations as of October 2019.
He said there are wild boar hotspots in Melaka Tengah (10), Jasin (12) and Alor Gajah (8).
Norhizam said the state has received many complaints from banana farmers on wild boars destroying their plantations.
“At least my hope is to reduce the numbers if we can't eradicate them.”
Norhizam, who is part of the Perikatan Nasional government, made headlines last year after he clashed with his former DAP comrades over his “babi” remarks in the state assembly. – The Vibes, November 20, 2020
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