‘Upstream activities affect folk downstream’

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RESPECT THE RIVER: River safety demonstration by SRB personnel at SK Nanga Ju.

SIBU: Longhouse dwellers living and farming along rivers in rural areas are reminded not to wantonly chop off trees near the bank.

Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang said this would cause bank erosion.

“The trees and debris when thrown into the river will also constrict the navigational route and will cause inconveniences, even dangers, to river users,” he said when officiating at the closing of ‘River Cleanliness and Safety Public Awareness Campaign’ at Rumah Gerasi in Nanga Ju, Julau on Wednesday.

He said people living upstream should be concerned and mindful of those living downstream.

“When people upstream throw their household rubbish and animal carcasses into the river, those living downstream, who use the river to bathe, wash their cloths or as drinking water, will suffer,” he said.

“Do not resort to this shortcut and very negative way in dealing with your wastes.

“The river should not be treated as a rubbish dump for in the long run this will badly affect its quality and, subsequently, lives in the water and eventually the people themselves,” he said.

The rivers, he said, could not protect themselves; man should protect the rivers.

Acting Controller of Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), Teo Swee Ann said it is the board’s aim to organise 130 river conservation and safety programmes every year, since 1997.

“We are targeting school children and longhouse dwellers and villagers by the rivers.

“The feedback has been very encouraging. Now you will find people are more mindful about throwing their rubbish into the river,” he said.

Teo said they would extend the programme to the industrial segment soon.

Later at another longhouse Rumah Unjar in Karangan Buloh, Nanga Reboh, Salang reiterated he was still very keen to defend his Julau seat for the fourth term.

“This may be my final term as age is catching up, the spirit may be willing but not the body,” he said.

He said since becoming the Julau MP for three terms, he had forged very good networking with those “very important people at the top” who could help him and Pakan state assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom to bring more development to Pakan and Meluan.

“It is not easy to develop this networking if one is new, worse if introverted and does not mix around easily.

“The days when you can flex your muscles in making demands are long gone. People are no longer easily scared,” he said.

Salang said if he were not re-nominated the people should not support the opposition but the candidate from the Barisan Nasional.

“This is the only way to see continual development to your area as the opposition can only talk but not walk the talk,” he said.

At the function, he handed out grants totalling RM213,000 to 23 longhouses. Among the recipients were TR Unjar Salam and Tuai Rumah Gunda @ Chakaw Baya.