Stray Cattle Spark Fear Of Accidents Among Road Users In Gua Musang

By Siti Maisarah Ahmad dan Habsah Ismail

GUA MUSANG, May 10 (Bernama) -- Dark roads, heavy rain and the stillness of night have become the most feared moments for some road users in this district, as the sudden appearance of stray cattle often leads to accidents.

For those who have gone through such an experience, the sound of impact, motorcycles skidding and bodies being thrown onto the road are not easily forgotten, with some still traumatised to travel along the same routes at night.

The issue of free-roaming cattle, especially along main roads in Gua Musang, is not new. It continues to haunt road users, causing injuries, vehicle damage and loss of life.

A fruit and vegetable wholesaler at a local market, Ibrahim Ismail, 62, said he experienced a terrifying moment when the four-wheel drive he was driving collided with a cow at Jeram Tekoh near a clinic at about 11 pm last month.

He said the accident occurred while he was returning home from a night market and had to dim his headlights due to oncoming vehicles while passing through a hilly area.

“I was passing through a hilly area when a cow suddenly charged onto the road. Earlier, a Proton Saga had already hit the same animal before it came towards my vehicle. There was simply no time to avoid it,” he told Bernama recently.

As a result of the incident, Ibrahim suffered losses of nearly RM4,000 after his vehicle’s water tank, air-conditioning system, bumper, and lights were badly damaged.

He said such incidents are far more dangerous when involving motorcyclists, as the risk of serious injury and death is higher.

“Damage to a car can be repaired, but when it involves lives or permanent disability, that’s what we fear most,” he said.

Another victim, Mohamad Syafid Ikhmal Muhamad Zailani, 17, from Kampung Limau Kasturi, said he suffered injuries to his fingers, elbows, shoulders and both knees after the motorcycle he was riding with a friend crashed into three cows during heavy rain near a bridge.

“We were on our way home from a cemetery after attending a relative’s funeral. The road was dark and it was raining heavily when suddenly three large cows appeared in front of our motorcycle. We couldn’t avoid it in time,” he said.

He said they were thrown off the motorcycle following the collision and had to seek treatment at a nearby clinic that same night.

His friend, Razim Rosli, 17, said he had once tried to avoid a cow standing in the middle of the road but failed, causing his motorcycle to skid and overturn.

“I tried to swerve but couldn’t avoid it. Luckily, two teenagers passed by and helped lift the motorcycle. If you want to rear cattle, take proper care of them. Tie them properly so they don’t endanger others,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Bernama survey around the district found that the problem of stray cattle, especially at night, remains serious, particularly in Kampung Limau Kasturi, Jeram Tekoh and Chiku 5, including routes near the oil palm plantations and FELDA settlements along the main Gua Musang-Kuala Krai road.

The survey also found cattle roaming freely along road shoulders and main routes in the district, especially in poorly lit areas without streetlights.

The cattle tend to stray onto paved roads during rain, making them difficult to spot at night and increasing the risk of accidents.

Residents have urged authorities to tighten enforcement, including requiring livestock identification tags, as well as installing more streetlights and warning signs for stray animals.

On May 1, Bernama reported that Gua Musang district officer Mohd Roshdi Ismail said throughout 2024, a total of 191 accidents involving cattle were recorded, with estimated losses exceeding RM1.14 million.

He said in 2025, 176 cases were recorded with losses exceeding RM1 million, while as of April this year, 42 cases involving losses of more than RM252,000 have been reported.

In response, Gua Musang district police chief Supt Sik Choon Foo has reportedly identified several accident hotspots involving stray animals along the Gua Musang-Kuala Krai and Gua Musang-Jeli routes.

-- BERNAMA