A group of licensed crocodile hunters successfully trapped five crocodiles in Kuala Ridan, Marudi on Saturday, including a massive specimen measuring about five metres in length during an ongoing search operation in the area.
The team’s spokesperson, Goh, said they suspect the largest crocodile could be linked to the death of 64-year-old Liew Mei Koon, who was killed in a fatal incident reported on May 7. However, he stressed that the assessment remains based on belief and further confirmation is still required.
Goh explained that the operation resumed after several weeks of waiting for river conditions to improve. According to him, around 20 baited traps were set along Kuala Ridan at approximately 5pm on Friday (June 5), before the team returned at about midnight to inspect them.
To their surprise, five crocodiles had been caught in the traps. The two largest were male crocodiles measuring five metres and four metres respectively, while the remaining three were females ranging between two and three metres in length.
Earlier, on May 12, the group had also captured a three-metre crocodile at Kampung Ridan while tracking the suspected animal involved in the attack. That crocodile was later ruled out after further checks, prompting the team to continue their search efforts.
The case dates back to May 7, when Liew was reported missing while fishing along Sungai Ridan. His motorcycle was later discovered near a bridge along Jalan Industri Sungai Ridan, along with his fishing gear and clothing found beneath the structure, raising immediate concern among villagers.
A search and rescue operation was launched, and on May 8, authorities found severed body parts believed to belong to the victim along the riverbank. The discovery led investigators to suspect a crocodile attack, which has since prompted ongoing monitoring and trapping operations in the area.
