A Barisan Nasional assemblyman today wants the Sarawak government to issue licences for crocodile hunting to protect residents staying along rivers in the state.

Johnichal Rayong Ngipa (BN-Engkilili) told the state assembly that there had been several cases of residents staying along rivers in Skrang Hilir and Batang Air Hilir in Engkilili attacked by crocodiles.

“The residents in the affected areas are now living in fear and are afraid to bathe and travel by boat.

“Therefore, I suggest that the state government take steps to address the problem by issuing licences to hunt the crocodiles whose number is increasing,” he said when debating the motion of thanks on the speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Negeri.

- Bernama