SIBU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called on Sarawakians to protect and preserve the state’s rivers, stressing that they are vital to the environment, livelihoods and future economic development.
He said Sarawak was fortunate to have abundant rivers, including the Rajang River, Malaysia’s longest river, and its many tributaries.
“Therefore, we must take care of and preserve our rivers. If our rivers become polluted and oxygen levels fall, fish will die,” he said when officiating the national-level World Rivers Day celebration today.
Abang Johari said declining fish populations would affect communities living along the rivers, particularly those whose livelihoods depended on fishing.
He cited the Batang Lupar I Bridge near Sebuyau as an example of how infrastructure could contribute to aquatic life.
He said an increase in the population of ‘terubok’ fish had been observed in the area after the bridge, which has 32 pillars, was completed.
“One possible reason is that the bridge pillars have become a habitat where food sources for the ‘terubok’ can thrive. The pillars may have provided a suitable environment for organisms that serve as food for the fish,” he said.
A similar increase in fish populations had also been observed around the Batang Lassa Bridge following its completion, he said.
Abang Johari said the observations demonstrated the importance of maintaining healthy river ecosystems.
“If we keep the river clean and prevent pollution, it will continue to support fish populations and, in turn, provide economic opportunities for fishermen and communities living along the river,” he said.
He also stressed that rivers had played an important role in the development of human civilisation, with many early civilisations emerging along major rivers.
“Civilisations began along rivers. The Nile, for example, was the source of one of the world’s earliest civilisations, while in China, the Yangtze River also played a significant role in the development of civilisation,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak must recognise the value of its abundant water resources while ensuring that development was balanced with environmental protection.
“We must recognise the importance of water and the value of our rivers, which we must protect,” he said.
He said this was in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and its emphasis on environmental sustainability.
“There must be a balance between development and environmental protection. We must continue to develop, but at the same time, we must take care of our environment,” he said.
Abang Johari also highlighted the strategic importance of water resources to the development of industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, which require water for cooling systems and other processes.
“If Sarawak has abundant rivers, we must clean and treat our water resources so that they can support green energy as well as the cooling systems required by high-tech and advanced manufacturing industries,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) for its ‘Water Corridor’ initiative in Sarawak, saying such efforts would benefit both Sarawak and Malaysia.
Abang Johari said Sarawak could leverage its water resources to develop a semiconductor industry serving global markets.
“Sarawakians must never back down. We must continue trying, continue innovating and continue developing our children and young people,” he said.
He said the Sarawak Government’s provision of free education through the GPS administration was part of efforts to develop human capital and equip young Sarawakians with knowledge, skills and technological capabilities.
“So, from water, we can develop industries, and from those industries, we can develop human capital,” he said.
