Deputy Premier urges public to keep rivers clean for community prosperity

LAWAS: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has urged the public to maintain the cleanliness of the river, stressing its significance as a source of income for the local community.

With improvements in the garbage collection system, he advised against disposing of waste into the river, noting the importance of preserving its cleanliness due to its economic value.

“Let’s not treat it as a garbage bin,” he said during the GP Joran fishing competition held at the Sungai Kuala Lawas Waterfront here on yesterday (Jan 21).

According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) report, Awang Tengah announced the upcoming implementation of the second phase of the waterfront project, aimed at enhancing the area with additional facilities.

The Bukit Sari assemblyman encouraged the public to utilise public spaces for activities that can benefit the local community and contribute to economic growth.

“Use this place to organize programmes that can benefit our traders and hawkers, increasing their incomes.

“We can also host more events that strengthen relationships among locals, such as this fishing competition.”

Meanwhile, Osman Jamal secured victory in the competition by catching a 780g ‘ikan sembilang’ and claimed a cash prize of RM5,000.

Abdul Rahaman Ramli from Kampung Merapok Lawas secured second place with a 720g stingray, winning RM2,500.

Syarif Abdul Aziz from Kampung Noor Islam Kuala Lawas took home the third prize, valued at RM1,000.
The competition saw participation from 326 contestants across Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan and Brunei.

Also present at the event were director of the Northern Region Development Agency, Ubaidillah Abdul Latip; Lawas District officer Ladin Atok; Awangku Zainal Abedin Dato Pengiran Jawa, a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier; and Lawas District Council secretary Zulkipli Sahari.