KUCHING: The Sarawak government is working with crocodile experts and relevant agencies to find long-term solutions to reduce the risk of crocodile attacks, particularly for communities that rely on rivers for their livelihood.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also highlighted the importance of using safer equipment and technology, similar to practices in Australia, where cameras are used to monitor underwater conditions before entering rivers.
“Indeed, many of our communities depend on rivers for their livelihood, but there must be safer ways to do it.
“In Australia, there is also a large crocodile population, but they have advanced methods to protect their people.
“Before going into the water, they use cameras to check underwater conditions. Our communities do not yet have such facilities.
“We may one day move in that direction. But it will take time. We must instil the culture of using such advanced tools among our people. So, awareness is key,” he said.
He said this to reporters after visiting the family of a crocodile attack victim who had been catching prawns along the Lubok Punggor riverbank, Kota Samarahan.
Abang Johari added that the growing crocodile population in Sarawak is linked to changes in river usage.
He said with more roads and land development, fewer people rely on rivers for transport, creating calmer waters where crocodiles can breed freely.
“As an alternative, if heading to the river, larger motorised boats need to be considered. And if you go down to the river to cast nets or catch fish, use safer equipment. If you want to catch prawns or fish, don’t just use small nets—use bigger river nets.
“This would be safer and does not expose people to crocodile attacks,” he said.
He also advised the community to be more cautious, as the crocodile population has grown significantly, exposing villagers to the risk of attacks.
“As we know, when there are rivers, people enjoy casting nets and fishing. But the situation today is different. Sometimes, instead of catching fish, it is crocodiles that are waiting.
“As in the recent victim’s case, they went down to the river just to net prawns but ended up facing a crocodile attack. This is what we need to find solutions for, so that such incidents do not continue to recur,” he said.
