LAHAD DATU: A Felda settler had to trek the jungle in the middle of the night with his wife and two children after terrorists intruded Tanjung Labian on March 1.
Mohd Asri Aliudin became lost for over two hours in the oil palm plantation before arriving at the house of a friend in Kampung Lok Buani, 3 km away.
He had barely rested when he had to return to the oil palm plantation after hearing gunshots at about midnight.
Recounting his scariest moment, Mohd Asri, 33, said at that time he only thought of rescuing his wife and two girls aged two and four years. “We covered their mouth fearing that their screams would be heard by the terrorists,” he said.
He said terrorists attacked his village at about 10am by firing into the air, sending the villagers running and shouting “run, run, the Sulus have arrived.”
“We were terrified by the sound of explosion and gunfire. I saw several men dressed in black walking and firing in the air. I also saw a cloud of smoke.”
Mohd Asri said he lost oil palm fruits worth RM2,400, four cows and six goats to the terrorists from southern Philippines.
Mohd Asri said there was panic but he managed to bring along personal documents before fleeing with his family.
After four hours, he arrived at the friend’s house in Kampung Lok Buani and only reached his in-laws house in Felda Sahabat, 7 km away at 5am.
After 21 days, Mohd Asri is still staying at his in-laws house pondering the uncertain future as he had lost his source of livelihood.
He lost oil palm fruits worth RM2,400, four cows and six goats to the terrorists from southern Philippines. — Bernama