SIBU: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth note with great interest the recent press statement made by Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Alexander had suggested that timber concessionaires in Baleh area should exercise their corporate social responsibility (CSR) for those affected by the Oct 7 logjam.
PRS Youth publicity chief Danny Bungan in his press statement yesterday said Alexander had called on them to help replenish the fish stock in Ulu Melatai, Baleh and Rajang River.
“PRS Youth fully share and tacitly support Alexander’s concern.
“This was because the massive landslide and erosion which caused the infamous debris, estimated to be more than 200 kilometres long, with wood debris floating down the rivers and out to the sea, had killed or perhaps wiped out precious fish species.
“Fishes like the highly priced empurau, semah, tengadak and many others had perished because of the dense mud content in the rivers,” Danny claimed.
Alexander had also said that “if the big ones had died, the fry would surely suffer the same fate”.
He said: “Thus the folks will be deprived of their supplies and income from the catches for years to come.
“In this respect, the concessionaires should donate money to form hatcheries, with the cooperation of the Agriculture Deparment.
The parliamentarian added that the department had been doing that for years.
Commenting further, Danny said PRS Youth believed this gesture of goodwill would be very much appreciated by the folks concerned, who are simple, kindhearted and accommodative people.
“But there is a limit to their patience and simplicity,” Danny cautioned.
He added that these concessionaires had over the years reaped huge profits from their operations in the area.
“Although many of the folks work for them, a large number do not.
“They depend on the rivers and farms for survival. But now their water has been badly affected. This is something the concessionaires should look into,” Danny reiterated.
He said by the same token, companies operating in Belaga could do the same by chipping in to set up hatcheries.
“With aquaculture being identified as an industry of great potential in Bakun lake, people will want to venture into cage fish breeding as part of their efforts to upgrade their living standard.
“PRS Youth believe by helping to make available the fry, the concessionaires, although helpful to the people in the area, will do them an even greater favour,” he said.