Where the cows are the kings

Taman Jaya residents in Bahau are having a major problems as about 100 cows have taken over their residential area.

PETALING JAYA: The residents of Taman Jaya in Bahau have put up with cows roaming freely in their residential area for the past four years.

They have lodged numerous complaints to their assemblyman, police and the municipal council, but nobody has taken any action.

Negri Sembilan People’s Welfare Party (Kita) chairman, R Sri Sanjeevan, said about 50 families living in Taman Jaya have endured the problems caused by the cows for the past four years.

And the seven cattle breeders have refused to listen to the concerns voiced by their neighbours.

“One farmer even claimed that he was a member of the notorious ’08′ gang and threatened to harm the residents if they keep on complaining,” said Sanjeevan.

About 100 cows belonging to the breeders, Sanjeevan said, roam about freely and defecate on the roads which were causing health concerns to the residents.

He also said that motorists are having problems moving in and out of the area, especially at night, with the cows still on the streets.

“Last year, a 22-year-old youth died after his motorcycle collided with a cow at night. Sadly, no one took ownership of the cow and the boy died in vain,” said Sanjeevan.

He said he had approached Jeram Padang assemblyman, VS Mogan, several times for assistance but received none.

He also said the police refused to act on the reports he had lodged on the issue.

“They said the matter fell under the authority of Jempol municipal council. However, even the local council had yet to act on it although I had written and called them numerous times,” he said.

No health hazard

When contacted, Mogan said the matter is being resolved by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) as the the latter is planning to relocate the breeders to a more suitable location.

“The place is a village area where previously the DVS gave some of the families two to three cows to do small businesses.

“However, they stopped the programme early this year when Taman Jaya was found no longer suitable for cattle breeding,” said Mogan.

He also said that the DVS and the Jempol land office had cautioned the errant breeders during meetings and advised them not let their livestock roam unguarded or risk having the cows being seized.

However, he said not all the cows were roaming freely as alleged.

“Probably only five of the cows are of nuisance and there is no health hazard in Taman Jaya as the matter is still under control,” he said.

FMT was unable to reach Jempol municipal council for comments despite numerous attempts.