The dead fish taken out from Segaliud River.
SANDAKAN: Villagers at Kampung Segaliud here have spotted many dead fish floating in Segaliud River at Mile 36 Jalan Sandakan-Kinabatangan since Friday, indicating that the river is severely polluted.
They called for immediate action from the relevant authorities as they suspected that it was a result from waste discharge from five palm oil factories nearby.
Azman Atchil, one of the villagers here said after they saw dead fish, crabs and prawns floating along the river, they went upstream to find the source of pollution.
“We suspect that the pollution is due to sewage discharge from five palm oil factories nearby. We could not identify which factory is discharging waste into the river and causing the pollution.
“We have lodged a police report for the attention of related parties as this matter is affecting the villagers here, whereby 70 per cent of us are fishermen,” said Azman.
“We hope that the relevant parties will take immediate action and investigate this matter as it is greatly affecting our source of income. We also hope that fishermen will be compensated for the loss of income due to irresponsible action taken by some parties,” he added.
Sandakan District Police Chief ACP Mohd Azhar Hamin when contacted. confirmed that the police had received the report.
Meanwhile, Batu Sapi member of parliament Datuk Liew Vui Keong upon receiving a complaint on the problem, had gone to inspect the situation at the river yesterday.
Liew said that he was appalled to see so many dead fish floating along Segaliud River, and he could smell the pungent odour from the fish carcass which had been dead for three days.
“Villagers here told me that the cause of the dead fish may be caused by pollution of the river with pesticides and fertiliser, as well as sediments of logging activities and effluent from the palm oil mills nearby.
“A report was lodged by the village head as the villagers saw five palm oil mills nearby that had flushed out effluent into the river.
“This is not the first time it has happened. I remember from newspaper reports that the incident had been recurring on a regular basis. Despite some of the mill owners being fined by the court for polluting the river, the offence continues to this day.
“The villagers, some of whom are fishermen are seriously affected. They rely heavily on the river produce such as fish, prawns, clams and crabs for a living. Each household loses RM150 daily income.
“With the river being polluted now with agrochemicals, it is expected to take about two months to be diluted. This means they cannot go to the river to catch fish during the period. About 60 registered fishermen here will suffer losses to about RM9,000 for two months. There are about 100 other fishermen who are not registered with the Fisheries Department but they will face the same loss,” Liew explained.
He also said that Segaliud River, like the Kinabatangan River, is a source of water supply to Sandakan and its surrounding areas.
“Water quality has declined tremendously and this will have a serious impact on us in Sandakan and Batu Sapi who draw our water from these two rivers.
“I will take up the matter for the villagers and will report to both the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Junz Wong and Minister of Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wong, for immediate instruction for the relevant departments to commence investigation.
“At the same time, legal action will be commenced against the oil palm mills for the losses and suffering of the villagers.
“It is sad to see them having to go through Ramadan with not much money to spend for the coming Raya. Their source of income has been taken away by the irresponsible actions of these oil palm mill operators who must be hauled to court for their crimes against nature and people,” Liew stressed.