S’wak Rivers Board’s Sematan office officially re-opens following 5-year closure

Lee (left) walking up SRB Sematan jetty with his officers during an official working visit on Dec 19, 2023. Photo provided by MOT.

KUCHING, Dec 20: Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) has officially re-opened its office in Sematan yesterday (Jan 19) after a five-year closure since January 2019.

Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said SRB decided to re-open the Sematan office due to rapid progress in the area, including river transport and logistics activities.

He said the new office would closely monitor and execute its regulations for any riverine activities such as sand extraction, anchorage, passenger transportation, and fish farming in rivers within Sematan and Lundu.

“This is also to support the local authorities to achieve their mission and vision in revitalising the economy and to achieve sustainable development goals,” he said.

Lee elaborated that in Sematan, SRB has two facilities namely the Sematan Wharf and the Sematan R.C. Jetty to cater for cargo activity and landing of passengers.

“Besides, SRB has two units of Aids To Navigation (AToN) at the Sematan river mouth as the navigational guides.

“In addition, SRB also provides an anchorage area at the river mouth of Sematan to facilitate international and local vessels for safe mooring,” he said in a statement today.

Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, reminded everyone to be vigilant and cautious while using riverine transport and facilities, especially under unfavourable conditions such as heavy rain, heavy fog, or under the influence of alcohol.

For the record, the new SRB Sematan Office is located at Rumah Rehat Kerajaan Sarawak at Lot 724, Block B, Pueh Land District Jalan Seacom, Sungai Kilong, Sematan. — DayakDaily