Organiser expects 3,500 to join Forest Fun Run 2019
KUCHING: The Forest Department’s ‘Forest Fun Run 2019’ is expected to attract 3,500 runners at all its venues in Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu.
Participation is open to individuals, as well as those representing the public and private sectors.
Held in celebration of the department’s 100th anniversary this year, the run will be conducted in series, starting with Taman Tumbina in Bintulu this Aug 25.
Next venue is Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri on Sept 8, followed by Bukit Lima in Sibu on Sept 22, before the last leg in Pustaka Negeri Sarawak in Kuching on Nov 3.
“We are pleased and excited to host this event, which we hope would appeal to not only the fast-growing running community in Sarawak, but also to the newcomers,” Sarawak Forest Department director Hamden Mohammad told reporters during a press conference on ‘Forest Fun Run 2019’ at Wisma Sumber Alam in Petra Jaya here yesterday.
The press conference also launched the website www. gritevent.com/forestrun, meant to facilitate the public to register online.
Co-organisers of the event are Ta Ann, Samling, KTS, Sarawak Timber Association and WTK.
Adding on, Hamden pointed out that the event would also enable the department to be closer to the public, engaging them further so that they would understanding roles and responsibilities of the Forestry Department better.
On the medals, Hamden said the design would resemble a tree species unique to each divisional venue – the ‘Belian’ for Bintulu, ‘Tapang’ for Miri, ‘Ensurai’ for Sibu, and ‘Engkabang Jantong’ for Kuching.
Moreover, each of the top 100 runners would be given a tree seedling, to be planted at designated spots in all four running venues where a week after that, their names would be printed on signs that would indicate the spots where they had planted the seedlings.
The 100 seedlings symbolise the department’s 100th anniversary.
“We hope this would encourage everyone, including our clients, business associates, friends and family members, to get together and enjoy this healthy activity,” Hamden he pointed out.
Registration for the 5km run is RM50 per person.
For more information, call Josh on 016-888 2794, or Ahmad Ashrin Bohari of Sarawak Forestry Department on 082-319 164 / 082319 182.
Online registration is also open now. LUBOK ANTU: The dream for a gravity-feed water system has come true for the Iban community of Rumah Baying Kumpang Langgir in Engkilili.
The Pakatan Harapan ( PH)led government has installed the water system for the village under its rural water supply project.
Construction, which commenced earlier this year, was carried out on a ‘ gotongroyong’ (work party) basis by longhouse residents, and it reached completion recently.
The works were supervised by the Mineral and Geoscience Department, said longhouse chieftain Baying Kadam.
“The Iban community of Kumpang Langgir would like to record our sincere thanks and appreciation to Lubok Antu MP Jugah Muyang, the federal government and Mineral and Geoscience Department for turning our dream into a reality.
“Previously, the water source for our daily needs was the nearby rivers, where the gravity system discharged water from the main tank directly to homes without filtration,” Baying told The Borneo Post when met after the launch of the new gravityfeed water system recently.
The system comprises pipes that channel the water from the rivers to a reserve tank which, in turn, distributes water to the houses.
He said previously, the situation was more difficult as their water source would become murky and muddy during the rainy season; during the dry season, the water level in the rivers would become very low – forcing the longhouse residents to look for other sources as the tank ran dry.
“It’s even sadder during events such as marriages, government programmes or even funerals – this water supply problem could cause disruptions. This had been troubling the residents for years.
“But now, we can heave a sigh of relief as this (gravity-feed water system) will immediately solve the problems faced by villagers over the years.”
In his remarks, Jugah recalled voicing out this issue during a debate at the Dewan Rakyat sitting for the March-April session this year.
On the gravity-feed water system, he said it was built at an estimated cost of RM98,000.
“The Pakatan Harapan government is always concerned about prioritising the people and helping to solve their problems.
“I am very happy to see that the gravity-feed water system reached completion on time.
“I would also like to advise the villagers to utilise this system as best as they possibly can,” he added.
Later, Jugah announced an allocation of RM130,000 for repair works on the longhouse roof, and a grant of RM30,000 for the longhouse security and development committee.
Baying Kumpang Langgir is located 16km from Engkilili, and a 20-minute drive from this town. It houses 140 villagers from 26 households.
Department of Mineral and Geoscience Sarawak deputy director Hillary Muyan, Lubok Antu District assistant education officer Jim Andrew Janggi, Fire and Rescue Department officer Gemong Batu, councillors and local community leaders witnessed the launch ceremony.
We are pleased and excited to host this event, which we hope would appeal to not only the fast-growing running community in Sarawak, but also to the newcomers.
Hamden Mohammad