Musa: All must help make Sabah rivers clean again

KOTA KINABALU: Many rivers in Sabah have gone from having crystal-clear water to looking like streams of chocolate beverage, says Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.

He remembered how, decades ago, rivers such as the Padas River in Beaufort were clean and fresh.

“But now, we see the rivers have turned murky,” he said in his opening speech at the World Rivers Day conference and exhibition here yesterday.

He attributed these negative changes to the ignorance of the public and industry players, as well as a lack of awareness in the community on the need to protect our rivers.

The state government had, through its various agencies, begun cleaning up rivers and reducing water pollution, he said.

Among the measures taken was the stricter implementation of the Sabah Water Resources Enactment 1998.

However, Musa said there was still much to be done before the state’s water sources could be restored to their former clean and fresh state.

“Everyone needs to work together towards making our rivers clean again,” he said, adding that he hoped the conference would help come up with creative and innovative recommendations towards this end.

Speakers with years of knowledge and experience in dealing with rivers and related issues would be presenting their thoughts and ideas at the two-day conference, he said.

“We hope that this conference will also create more awareness among the people on the importance of preserving and protecting our rivers and water sources in the face of development and other socio-economic activities,” Musa said.

He added that rivers were a lifeline to the state, with 95% of water for domestic use being sourced from them.

“Therefore, everyone plays a role in ensuring that we continue to have clean water to drink, and for various sectors like tourism, recreation, agriculture and food production,” he said.

Earlier, state Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin highlighted the need for a sustainable water management programme to be implemented in every sector.

“There is no use if we have the most advanced irrigation techniques but lack clean water,” he said.

Apart from proper management of rivers and water sources, Yahya said departments and industry players must also ensure ecosystems were properly taken care of to reduce risks of natural disasters such as floods.

“The viability of rivers as a food source can also be maintained if we manage them properly,” he added.

Dozens of exhibitors at the event also showcased flood mitigation products and water management solutions, among others.

Everyone plays a role in ensuring that we continue to have clean water to drink, and for various sectors like tourism, recreation, agriculture and food production.

Tan Sri Musa Aman