Call to enforce river safeguards
Published on: Wednesday, July 17, 2019
By: Johan Aziz
KENINGAU: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Keningau Protem divisional Chief, Azman Haji Ruslan, urged the State Government to enforce regulations on river conservation systems throughout Sabah.
This is to prevent the extinction of habitats found in the river including the Tagal system implemented by villagers due to river pollution by irresponsible people.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There are several rivers in this area that have been polluted by humans using chemicals in agricultural farms near the river,” he said when launching the Love Our River (Cintai Sungai Kita) programme at Cinnamon River Park Bandukan in Bingkor recently.
He said efforts need to be made through a regulation that can control the impact of river pollution on the cutting of timber trees, encroachment of water catchment areas and the use of chemicals for the development of agricultural land.
Azman urged the government to support the “love our river” programmes by providing assistance for river-cleaning and conservation works. He said the government should also support the use of eco-friendly organic fertilisers especially in agricultural areas near water sources such as rivers so that they would not be contaminated from chemicals that could kill river habitat and harm human health.
He hoped the government to also help with community awareness programmes to safeguard rivers and encourage support on river, tagal system and environmental protection activities.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We encourage members of Bersatu to organise programmes that can benefit the community especially school-leavers such as courses on computer use, how to make resumes and how to answer interview questions.
“I urged all Bingkor Bersatu members to go down to the ground to approach the community and hear their complaints so that it could be channelled to the division level and then brought up to top authority for best solution,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said Keningau Bersatu division recently set up the Welfare and Complaints Bureau to assist the people with their needs and concerns.
At the same time, he also asked the government to assist small entrepreneurs in the state to provide markets for their local produce.
He said the people could also make use of experts in Bingkor Bersatu such as in law which is managed by him (Azman), administration (Zulkifli Nasir), human resources (Jenny Datuk Seri Panglima OKK Sedomon) and other experts.
Azman said all complaints regarding community concerns in this division could be channelled to Bersatu Complaints bureau via Youth Complaints Bureau (010-2003908) and Community Complaints bureau Poling District Centre (PDM) Bingkor (0198960916).
Former District Officer who is also Keningau Bersatu divisional Committee Member, Haji Zulkifli Nasir, said efforts by Bersatu to hold the programme ought to be supported as it creates awareness among the people.
“Jenny’s efforts in organising this program should be given support by the residents especially those involved in developing agriculture lands near the river to always prioritise river conservation from the chemical pollution.
“We must learn from experience especially during drought in this area several months ago where our water situation was in critical condition as this also concerns the whole population in this district,” he said.
He said Bersatu is the right party for indigenous people regardless of race or religion as long as they are natives of Sabah.
He said Bersatu is often associated with Umno but its struggle is not for a specific race only compared to Umno.
“Our mission in this area is to improve the people’s economy regardless of race and political affiliation.
Meanwhile, Keningau Bersatu Information Chief Jenny Sedomon said that the main purpose of the programme was to provide awareness to the public to prioritise river cleanliness.
She said that if the rivers are always kept clean from pollution it could sustain life for both humans and inhabitants in the river.
“Pollution not only kills the inhabitants but also affect their health “she said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
