SEREMBAN: A 54-year-old lorry driver narrowly escaped death last Thursday after a harimau kumbang (black panther) ambushed him during a routine stop along Bukit Tangga. A. Suresh, a father of two, still shudders at the memory of the big cat lunging at him in the dark — a trauma that haunts his sleepless nights.
“The Bottle Saved My Life”
Recovering at home after three days in Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Suresh recounted the horror: “I barely had time to react. It jumped me while I was washing my hands. I shoved my water bottle into its mouth… if not, I’d be dead.” The quick-thinking move spared him fatal bites, but the panther’s claws left his scalp shredded, requiring over 30 stitches.
The attack unfolded around midnight as Suresh, a seasoned driver with 25 years on the road, pulled over to check his lorry after delivering chicken feed to Jelebu. “I’ve driven this route for six years — never seen a panther here,” he said, voice trembling.
Rescue by Strangers, Wildlife Officers Respond
Luck struck when a passing motorist stopped, scaring the 80-90kg predator away and calling an ambulance. Wildlife officials later visited Suresh, confirming the panther’s size and rarity in the area.
Though grateful, Suresh remains shaken. “I can’t sleep… I keep seeing its eyes,” he admitted. The incident, captured in a viral social media clip, has sparked concern among drivers. Suresh now urges others to “stop only in safe zones” and stay vigilant.
A Community Reacts
The attack has rippled through Malaysia’s trucking community, with many calling for improved wildlife safety measures on rural roads. Suresh, however, vows to return to work soon — scars and all. “I have to feed my family,” he said.
As deforestation pushes wildlife closer to highways, this harrowing tale serves as a chilling reminder: even routine stops can turn deadly.
