BINTULU: The ‘Friends of Rivers’ programme is considered to have the potential to become a major public awareness movement to protect rivers across Sarawak, said Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Maritime), Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.
He said the initiative, organised by the Sarawak Rivers Board (LSS), was not merely a cleaning campaign but also emphasised navigation safety, smooth economic activities, and the wellbeing of local communities.
“If we take care of the river, it will take care of us. But if we neglect it, the river can become a source of problems and disasters,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the Friends of Rivers’ Batang Kemena River Cleanliness Awareness Programme held at the Bintulu passenger terminal on Friday.
He asserted that challenges such as the rise in dengue cases in Kampung Baru, Kampung Sinong, and Pasar Lama showed the importance of maintaining river cleanliness and its surrounding areas.
He pointed out that clogged rivers, stagnant drains, and rubbish-filled riverbanks were breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, thereby threatening public health.
As such, he called for cooperation from all parties, including government agencies, community leaders, the private sector, and the community, to make rivers a reflection of the community’s image.
“If the yard of our house is clean, our river must also be clean. Rivers are the heritage of future generations – do not let them be polluted and lose their value,” he pointed out.
Henry hope that Friends of Rivers would be expanded to other areas in Sarawak to strengthen the culture of caring for rivers.
“I want to see Friends of Rivers become a wave that changes how we interact with rivers. Together, we can make our rivers clean, safe, and a source of pride,” he added.
At the event, Henry presented life jackets to the fishing community, the Bintulu District Office, the Bintulu Division Health Office, as well as community leaders and village chiefs in the Jepak area.
Also present were Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, Bintulu District Officer Awang Mohamed Nizam Awang Ali Bohan, and LSS Controller Lieutenant Colonel Ding Tiew Wong.
