KUCHING: Safety on Sarawak’s waterways took centre stage as Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (BPHB) renewed its call for vigilance among river users, highlighting the shared responsibility to protect lives during festive travel periods.
BPHB’s President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ruslan Abdul Ghani, said that while Bintulu Port’s operations are typically associated with the sea, its concern for safety extends equally to river users, particularly during festive seasons when boat traffic increases.
“Whether at sea or on the river, safety remains the same; it must always be our top priority.
“We feel it is our shared responsibility to ensure that everyone using the waterways, especially during celebrations like this, stays safe,” he said during the handover of life jackets to the Sarawak Rivers Board (LSS) and boat operators at the English Tea House here today.
As part of the initiative, BPHB distributed 130 life jackets to local penambang (riverboat operators) and passengers, emphasising the importance of wearing them at all times.
Of that total, 50 life jackets were donated to LSS, while the remaining 80 were distributed to riverboat (perahu tambang) operators plying the Sarawak River.
The event was witnessed by Sarawak State Secretary and BPHB Chairman, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.
Additionally, Ruslan noted that a life jacket might feel uncomfortable, but it could be lifesaving.
“Boat operators must insist that passengers wear their life jackets. We never know when the situation might demand it,” Ruslan added.
BPHB is also blending safety messaging with culture through the ‘Bintulu Port Pantun Series’ introduced in August, which sees 16 perahu tambang adorned with traditional Malay pantun along the Sarawak River.
Ruslan said the initiative celebrates heritage while keeping public safety in view and expressed pride in Bintulu Port’s collaboration with local penambang operators to preserve Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage through the art of pantun (traditional Malay poem).
Sixteen penambang boats have been decorated with pantun verses as part of a creative initiative blending safety messages with cultural expression.
“This is our small way of keeping the pantun tradition alive. Who knows one day, if we don’t continue promoting it, our younger generations may no longer know what a pantun is,” Ruslan said.
He added that showcasing pantun on local boats not only preserves tradition but also celebrates the identity, history, and pride of Sarawak’s river communities.
“Through these initiatives, we hope to reflect both our dedication to safety and our appreciation of the cultural richness that makes Sarawak unique,” he concluded.
For the record, the Pantun Series was officiated by Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit, Adviser to Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE), with the aim of preserving and promoting the beauty of Malay pantun to younger generations.
