Melaka exco turns wrangler to address issues of livestock posing a risk to motorists

MELAKA: A state executive councillor turns into a “cow wrangler” to resolve issues of livestock causing deaths and injuries to motorists in Merlimau here.

State rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh was also locking horns with cattle farmers whose cows were posing a risk to motorists and encroaching into properties of locals.

“I have received several complaints from locals on the cattle being left to roam freely without cow herders,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Jan 17).

Dr Muhamad Akmal, who is Merlimau assemblyman, said there were fatal incidents involving the livestock.

He said the cows were eating up crops and appropriate measures have to be initiated to prevent farmers from letting their livestock roam freely.

Dr Muhamad Akmal said he has opted to use tranquiliser guns to control the roaming cows.

In a video clip, he also said the move was to teach these farmers that we would no longer tolerate their lackadaisical attitude to the pressing problem.

“I will use the same method throughout the state if the farmers keep ignoring our call to look after their livestock.

“You must take care of your cows and not let them roam freely as this is causing hardship to others,” he said.

In the same video, Dr Muhamad Akmal and his volunteers were seen capturing one bull and loading it into a truck.

When interviewed, A. Rajendran, 40, from Merlimau, said many vehicles were badly damaged after ramming into the cows at various stretches in the district.

“Motorists were unable to avoid them especially in areas that are too dark,” he said.

Rajendran also said the stray cattle problem has been there for some time and that it has gotten worse over the past decade.

He lauded the initiative of Dr Muhamad Akmal in looking for an effective solution to prevent cattle from straying onto roads and other areas.