NGO disappointed over Bung’s accusation

KOTA KINABALU: Save Papar River expressed its disappointment over the recent statement made by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is allegedly blaming the indigenous people for polluting Papar river.

Its spokesman, Jackly Likinsim in a statement yesterday said Bung’s statement is inappropriate and insulting to the community in Papar.

“We, the committee of Save Papar River would like to express our regret as a community for the irresponsible statement of the deputy chief minister who blamed the people of Kaiduan for not taking good care of the river.

“His statement is clearly inappropriate, and insulting to the indigenous people. He should first investigate how and what has happened in the catchment area until it was encroached. An independent committee must be created to investigate, and action must be taken against those who pollute the river.

“His act of making a careless statement by listening to one side, especially the relevant department is unfair and irresponsible as a state leader.

“He should ask himself about what happened before, and how natural resources such as forests and rivers were manipulated by big companies and their activities,” he said.

Jackly added as a Works Minister, Bung should know that logging activities, oil palm cultivation and Musang King plantation in the area were approved while Barisan Nasional was in power, and the real culprits are big companies, not the local community.

The indigenous people, said Jackly, do not have the ability and finance to develop lands on a large scale.

“The land clearing that was mentioned by Bung was not done by the people in the villages, instead, we are badly affected by it.

“The real problem is not water shortage but the water management must be upgraded. Bringing the National Water Services Commission to assist Sabah Water Department is a great evidence that the state’s water management must be operated professionally.

“Our technology must be developed to improve and fully take care of existing ecosystems, rather than damaging and adding huge risks to society. I believe, alternatives and suggestions have been submitted, but why have no evaluation and implementation studies been done?” he asked.

The committee of Save Papar River, which was set up by the community in Mukim Kaiduan said they felt like a scapegoat after reading Bung’s statement, in which he literally pointed his finger at the indigenous people.

Bung’s scapegoating statement, said Jackly, is simply aimed at gaining support to continue the construction of the Kaiduan Mega Dam.

“Bung’s statement was very arrogant and biased.

“We strongly oppose the Kaiduan Mega Dam, as the project will entail huge risk especially to the communities along the Papar River. Bung should be more courageous to investigate and take action against companies encroaching our river water catchment and never protect them by scapegoating the indigenous people,” he concluded.

Recently, Bung said the controversial dam must be constructed if there is to be a solution to the water shortage problem in the state’s west coast.

According to Bung, the dam will be moved further upstream at the Kaiduan area since the water condition at Mandalipau situated near the mouth of the Papar River has been polluted by forest/land clearing activities for farming in Kaiduan.

He said massive land clearing has been taking place and that serious water pollution has ensued leaving the Water Department with no choice but to shut down its water treatment plant in Kogopon four consecutive times since December until now.

“The people (of Kaiduan) have promised to look after the river. They have failed to do this with the land clearing,” said Bung during a media conference held at his office recently. Also present was Sabah Water Department director, Edward Lingkapu.

He added that the construction of the dam is crucial, otherwise, the future generation of Sabah will suffer.