Eight rivers selected for Tagang System

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KAPIT: Eight rivers in Song district have been identified for the implementation of ‘Tagang System’ and RM80,000 has been set aside for the purpose.

RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT: (from second left) Jabu, Blikau and Alexander release some 5,000 Tengadak fish fries into Sungai Sipan.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri  Alfred Jabu Numpang, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced the good  news  at     Rumah Austine Ekau, Nanga Sipan, Song last Sunday when officiating at the ‘Program 1Malaysia Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat’.

Sungai Sipan, Sungai Embuau, Sungai Temalat, Sungai Beguang, Sungai Temalat, Sungai Sebuluh, Sungai Lajan and Sungai Lijau were identified for the project.

Sistem Tagang, originally introduced in Sabah, was designed for river conservation programme.

The community residing along these particular rivers would be committed to fully co-operate and work together to maintain the fresh water fisheries species population to ensure they grow to mature size.

Apart from ensuring the stable supply of indigenous fishes, it would promote eco-tourism like spot-fishing and inculcate collective responsibility to ensure the cleanliness of the river and water quality for domestic purpose.

At the function, Jabu accompanied by Katibas assemblyman Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan, his wife Datin Marie Theresa Mathias and Kapit member of parliament Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi released some 5000 Tengadek fish fries into the river.

The ceremony was witnessed by Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot, deputy Resident (Development) Selamat Jati Yanjah, Song District Officer Galong Luang, assistant director of Kapit Agriculture Department Dominic Chunggat, OCPD Song DSP Jayadi,  political secretaries to the Chief Minister of Sarawak Paul Igai, Daniel Jubang and Tengku Geruna, Residen Kapit Dahim Nadot, heads of departments, community leaders and longhouse folk.

On education, Jabu was confident that rural students like their counterparts in the urban areas can excel in their studies.

“Rural parents must put children education their priority. Education is the most important asset for a bright future,” he advised.

The Sarawak Dayak Culture Foundation has also allocated RM100,000 to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris to introduce Bahasa Iban as a subject to produce graduates in the language studies.

“The government is planning to build another secondary school in Song district to cater for the increasing number of secondary students which will ease the present congestion at SMK Song,” he added.

On politics, he advised the locals to be weary of the opposition tactics against the government.

“They (opposition) only offer lip-services and do nothing to improve the livelihood of the people. All developments come from the Barisan Nasional (BN). Just look at the states (Kelantan, Selangor,  Penang  and  Kedah) under the opposition, it’s a mess and the people will suffer,” he said.

“To ensure continued prosperity, peace, harmony and development, the people must support BN government at the coming election,” he added

He later announced the grants of RM100,000 for Katibas constituency and RM15,000 for Kapit Parliamentary constituency, Serakup Indu Dayak Song branch.