A massive log debris is floating in Batang Baleh.
SIBU (Aug 22): Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing has suggested the state government to stop renewing the licenses of the irresponsible timber concessionaires who are operating at the upper reaches of Batang Baleh.
Alleging that the log jam at Batang Baleh in Kapit was caused by the timber concessionaires, Masing said this should be done in order to stop it from recurring.
“They operate in the head waters of Batang Baleh without any consideration for the devastating environmental impact their activity causes.
“In order to stop this log jam from recurring, the timber licenses for these irresponsible timber concessionaires to operate at the upper reaches of Batang Baleh should not be renewed,” he said in a statement today.
Masing who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, recalled that the first serious log jam in the head waters of Batang Baleh was in 2010.
“The jam stretched all the way from Kapit to Sibu. It resulted in riverine traffic jam. Dead fish, wildlife including crocodiles were found dead floating in the river,” he said.
Masing, who is Baleh assemblyman, said the Ibans residing along the Baleh River were petrified by the 2010 incident.
So they did a ‘miring’ (special offering) to pacify the gods in Ulu Baleh, whom they thought were angry at the environmental impact caused by logging activities, he said.
Masing and elected representatives in Kapit division were involved in the ceremony.
“We thought the gods were pacified by our peace offering, but not for long.
“Ten years later, a log jam of the same magnitude occurred along Baleh River, this time with possible deadlier consequences because the smooth flow of the river is now blocked by the construction of Baleh Hydroelectric Power (HEP) plant.
“The Iban ‘miring’ ceremony of 2010 did not pacify the right gods, it seemed. The ‘gods’ who caused the log jam are human beings! They are the timber concessionaires,” he said.
He added that it was a common knowledge among HEP operators that logging activities at the watershed of the HEP will cause siltation and thus will reduce the lifespan of the dam.