Wan Zuhairi Wan Nordin, 32 said he and several other fishermen were going out to sea to catch anchovies when they spotted the reptile, Bernama reported.

“We were not sure what it was until the thing moved and we saw the water splashing hard. We discovered that it was a two-meter-long crocodile not far away from our boat.

“I was worried because it was close to the beach, about 100m only. I managed to record a video clip as proof so that beachgoers would be more careful,” said Zuhairi, a fisherman of 15 years.

He said the last time a crocodile was sighted near the shoreline of Kampung Tengah was a decade ago.

“The beach is popular with the public, especially during the school holidays and weekends,” he said, adding that he hoped the authorities would take action.

The eight-second video taken by Zuhairi went viral on social media and elicited various reactions from netizens who expressed their concern about the safety of visitors and village residents.

Terengganu wildlife director Loo Kean Seong said his department had yet to receive any information about the sighting.