Habsah Mat Ali was tending to her smallholding outside Kampung Teluk Ira when she spotted the animal. But she believes it may have been hanging around the day before.

She said on the Sunday, she heard a loud thump as if something heavy had fallen to the ground. She hid in the bushes thinking it might be a a wild boar but did not spot anything.

The next day, she made noises with her collecting cup to scare off any wildlife near the smallholding, and heard branches breaking and smelled a foul odour, like that of an animal carcass.

"I began to recite verses from the Quran to calm myself. And then I saw the tiger just 10 metres away from me. I retreated slowly, all the while watching the animal's movements. I got away and told my husband and the neighbours."

Teluk Ira security and development head Mat Pilus Mat Taha said the presence of the tiger has been reported to the state Forest Department, and the 2,000 residents of Kampung Berhala Gantang, Teluk Ira, Teluk Mengkuang and Bangau Parit have been advised not to go to their smallholdings alone for the time being.

A department spokesman said the complaint is being looked into.

Habshah and Mat Pilus said they hoped the department would capture the animal quickly.