Snowdan: Massive logjam threatens Balai Ringin’s water intake point

KUCHING (Sept 2): A massive drifting logjam and floating debris are threatening the water intake point (WIP) in Balai Ringin, said Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

The Balai Ringin assemblyman told The Borneo Post that these were the findings of the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).

“Indiscriminate bulldozing and prior site clearing by a plantation company in the upstream of Sungai Krangan, Balai Ringin has caused floating debris, drifting deadwood, and a logjam in that river after a heavy downpour,” NREB said in its report shared by Snowdan.

Snowdan said he was fed up with those who are the root cause of the problem.

“This is a grave concern because it threatens the WIP that supplies water to the water treatment plant in Balai Ringin,” he said after receiving reports from NREB officers, who had checked on the situation in the area on Aug 31.

The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister said the NREB reported that parts of Phase 2 of the plantation area had encroached into the 8km radius water catchment area from the WIP.

NREB had acted following a complaint from villagers in the surrounding area, especially from those in Kampung Melayu Balai Ringin.

Snowdan said the villagers initially reported the matter to Balai Ringin Sub-District administrative officer Mohamad Adam Abdullah.

“The river serves as an important means for the villagers, who are fishermen, as their source of income and transporting their catch to Balai Ringin town daily. Now they can’t do both. This logjam certainly affects their daily livelihood.

“If this logjam continues to block the river flow, it may cause flooding in nearby low-lying settlements and crops of the villagers,” Snowdan said.

He pointed out NREB has also indicated that some cultivated areas have been submerged by floods due to irregular river flow.

“Pictures and videos provided by officers from NREB have shown that the area has been waterlogged.

“Therefore, I urge the authorities concerned to spring into action to deal with the culprits that caused this logjam without due consideration to the environment and the nearby community who has to bear with this man-made disaster and to prevent it from recurring without having to blame it on the weather. Identify the root cause instead,” he stressed.