Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad said he found out from locals that they have seen the Forestry Department releasing monkeys in the mangrove forest areas of Balik Pulau.

“I hope the Forestry Department will clarify this matter because this action has brought about a lot of trouble for the people of Balik Pulau who live near the mangroves, oil palm estates and the surrounding jungles,” the Umno rep said in a statement today.

“I am also informed that the Fire and Rescue Services Department has also acted to release snakes that have been caught in these same forest areas,” he added.

“I hope the forest and natural areas of Balik Pulau are not being made into dumping centres for animals that are dangerous and not wanted,” he said.

Farid said he has on numerous occasions received complaints from residents of frequent damages to their gardens, foodstuffs and properties by the wild monkeys that live freely in the area.

“At first I thought the increase in wild monkeys was due to natural breeding,” he said.

“However after some investigation, the increase in the monkey population has been found to be caused by the transfer activities from elsewhere to Balik Pulau.”