LETTER | In my usual hiking activities at Kledang Hill in Ipoh, there is the usual sense of calmness and sense of security, since many people are walking up and down the hill without feeling threatened, even though there is a proximity to wildlife to a certain degree. One can see monkeys walking along the roads and jumping among the trees.

Lately, such calmness and security were threatened when a troop of monkeys gathered around the walking pathway of the hilly road. They attempted to attack me as I was climbing the hill, and I was lucky there was a car nearby and where the driver concerned stopped and let me get in. He told me he was also chased earlier.

As I investigated further, I was told that an individual had provided some food to these monkeys earlier and they were gathering around due to this reason. As I walked further, I realised that there were no signboards along the hilly road stating that the provision of food to the wildlife is prohibited.

This shows that there is some degree of negligence among the local authorities in pre-warning people from giving food to wildlife, which could cause physical and emotional harm to those who are hiking. Troops of monkeys tend to gather when food is provided.

Therefore, the Association for Community and Dialogue urges the local government authorities to come up with more signboards along the hilly roads and elsewhere at Kledang Hill to ensure there is no contact between wildlife and hikers.

Heavy fines should be imposed on those who defy the rules. There is a need for constant patrolling of these places by the local authorities. It is hoped that the authorities would act with the sense of urgency to protect hikers and also the tourists from the other states who visit Kledang Hill during their stay in Ipoh.

RONALD BENJAMIN is secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

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