JELI, MALAYSIA - Villagers in the district are happy that an electric fence is being built to keep wild elephants away from their smallholdings.

Construction of the fence began early this year and so far, about two kilometres of fence had been erected between Kampung Lubok Bongor and Kuala Sungai Tapah.

Jeli member of parliament Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who is the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, announced the construction of the fence two years ago.

The fence, when completed, will be more than 10km long and is expected to cost about RM1.6 million.

It will prevent the intrusion of elephants into fruit orchards and rubber and oil palm smallholdings in the area.

Lubok Bongor villagers said no intrusions had been reported in their smallholdings since work to erect the fence started in February.

Rubber smallholder Che Senik Che Musa, 58, said villagers were glad that their problem with the elephants would end soon.

Another villager, Shahrudin Mamat, 33, from Kampung Berdang, said he suffered losses of about RM20,000 when his dokong trees were destroyed last year.

"The annual fruit season is coming soon and we hope the fence can be completed to prevent animals from coming to eat the fruits," he said.

Housewife Zabidah Hassan said she was lucky that the first phase of the project was carried out near her orchard.

"I will be in charge of switching on the electric fence. It will be on daily from 9pm to 8am as the elephants only come out at night.

"Since the fence was erected, there have been no disturbances," she said.

Elephant intrusions used to occur almost daily as the area is located on the fringe of the jungle.