Sorry about the cross post, but I think this is an item worth reading
for anyone heading off to SE Asia. I don't think this problem is just
restricted to Malaysia, it could easily happen here. I have had a
couple of nervous moments in the bush in Australia by myself.
I don't mean to scare any-one off, just ask them to be cautious out
there.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Begin forwarded message:
From: Anthony Lau <>
Date: 27 February 2007 6:31:36 AM
To: MNS Selangor <>,
Malaysianbirders
<>
Subject: [birders] Nature photographers robbed at Bidor
Reply-To:
BREAKING NEWS
Two photographers were robbed off all their cameras, tripods and
lenses at Bidor on Saturday 24 Feb. at about 6.00 pm. This has to
happen when expensive equipment are carried and displayed in lonely
places and off the beaten track.
Please see http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21907
I have sent out a cautionary post early last year when I was a near
victim at the Batang Berjuntai water treatment plant. It was
fortunate that I sensed trouble when a pickup truck stopped besides
my jeepney The driver got off his vehicle,went to the back of his
truck and took out a long parang. Just at that moment,
serendipitously, a motorcyclist rode by and I quickly hailed the
newcomer and engaged him in conversation. It was all small talk;
about direction to the nearest police station and in a voice loud
enough for the truck driver to hear. I was also careful to display
the sheathed parang I always wear around my waist when I go birding
alone. To cut the story short,the truck driver aborted what he
intended to do with his parang, got back into his vehicle and drove off.
The motorcyclist then told me that the area along the road leading to
the sand mining pits is not a safe place to be as a number of drug
addicts come to 'shoot the dragon'. in the bushes there. Well,
whether it was the mention of " Police ", the sight of my sheathed
utility knife or that there was no timbre of anxiety nor fear in my
voice, the would be robber must have thought better not to tangle
with two equally hefty men.
My guardian angel must have sent the motorcyclist to me in my moment
of need :~)
Do be alert and aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Take a
lesson from the birds you watch. When a bird feeds, it is at its most
vulnerable moment because it is concentrating on satisfying a basic
need and oblivous of its surroundings. But Nature has it, that the
survival instinct of the bird will make it stop feeding frequently to
have a good look around for any danger.
Likewise, birders/photographers should not have their eyes constantly
glued to tthe eyepiece of their bins, scopes or cameras. Take in your
environment now and again and be constantly aware of it . Should the
situation appears unhealthy, evacuate from the place. You are not
being a coward in doing so ; you are just being prudent and pragmatic.
I hope the Bidor incident is an isolated one and will not be a
precursor of a trend which will keep Nature lovers off altogether.
This unfortunate incident should be a wake up call for all birders/
phoographers not to be complacent.
Be careful and Happy Birding.
Best,
Anthony Lau
Kuala Lumpur
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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