The Sabah government has been urged to take urgent action to address the growing human-wildlife conflict in the state, particularly the rising number of crocodile attacks.
Datuk Junz Wong (Warisan–Tanjung Aru) said data from the Sabah Wildlife Department showed a worrying upward trend in fatalities caused by crocodiles, posing serious risks to fishermen, local communities and tourists.
He said there were three fatal crocodile attacks in 2021, six in 2022 and nine in 2023. As of October 2024, 11 deaths and two injuries have already been recorded, with fears the numbers could continue to increase.
“If we look at social media, crocodiles have been sighted in Likas, along Lido Avenue and in Aeropod, where one was even seen crossing the road. There have also been sightings in Pulau Dinawan and Pulau Gaya,” he said during the debate on the 2026 Sabah Budget at the State Legislative Assembly.
However, Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya noted that the animal seen crossing the road in the Aeropod area could have been a monitor lizard rather than a crocodile.
Meanwhile, Datuk Aliakbar Gulasan (PAS–Karambunai) called on the state government to tackle squatter issues, which he said were contributing to water shortages and electricity disruptions.
He said illegal settlements were a major cause of water and power theft, as well as other social problems, stressing that the issue stemmed from a lack of comprehensive and phased solutions rather than public awareness.
Aliakbar proposed a full mapping of squatter settlements in Sepanggar and Karambunai, firm action against syndicates and new encroachments, and humane exit pathways for families genuinely in need.
“Without the courage to resolve the squatter issue, we will continue spending more every year without achieving results,” he said.
