By Shikin Louis
BALAI RINGIN, Feb 7: Recurring logjams in Sungai Krangan, Kampung Melayu Balai Ringin, continue to disrupt local fishermen and residents whenever floods occur, and without a long-term solution, the problem shows no signs of abating.
The village, which comprises 150 houses, including 47 registered fishermen, faced a massive logjam on January 29, triggered by debris carried into the river by floodwaters. This marked the fourth occurrence of such an incident.
The first logjam occurred a few years ago when a nearby plantation company began operations in the area, but the issue went unreported as the locals were unsure of how to file complaints.
By the time the third logjam happened on August 31, 2024, the fishermen had sought help from their village head, Ketua Kaum (village chief) Mohd Idris Manap. He reported the issue to the authorities; however, no action was taken as the fishermen had already cleared the debris by the time officials could respond.
It was not until the fourth logjam, which occurred last week, that the village chief again brought the issue to the authorities, prompting a more structured response.
The current situation: All hands on deck
Speaking about the scale of the logjam, Idris described the affected area as stretching over a distance that would take about a 30-minute boat ride to cover. The logjam caused significant disruption for both the villagers and the local fishermen.
He reported the logjam to Sarawak Administrative Officer (SAO) Mohamad Adam Abdullah, chairman of the Balai Ringin Sub-District Council. Following this, a meeting was held on Monday (Feb 3) with representatives from the village, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), and the plantation company suspected of contributing to the debris.
“During the meeting, all parties reached a consensus that the immediate solution is to clear the river. We’ve discussed this with the company, who has agreed to provide remuneration to the fishermen for their clearing work, instead of hiring outsiders who would damage their nets in the process,” Idris said when met at Balai Ringin Wet Market recently.
Idris expressed his gratitude to the company for agreeing to reimburse the fishermen and provide two motorboats to assist with the cleanup operation.
He thanked Balai Ringin assemblyman Dato Snowdan Lawan for his unwavering support and for raising the issue to the authorities and media.
He also praised the authorities, including Adam and NREB Kuching Division Head Dau Utau, for their continued efforts to address the situation.
Clearing the logjam: A fisherman’s struggle
Meanwhile, 49-year-old Alias Maragi was one of the fishermen involved in the cleanup. Reflecting on the situation, he shared his frustrations with DayakDaily, recalling that the first logjam in Sungai Krangan occurred when the plantation started operations nearby.
“In the beginning, we didn’t know who to turn to or how to report the issue. We had no choice but to clear the river ourselves, just to keep our livelihoods intact. This time, the company agreed to reimburse us for the clearing work, which is a step forward,” he said.
However, he pointed out that the remuneration would not be sufficient to cover the losses, as the fishermen rely on fishing for their daily income. They lose about a week’s worth of sustenance during the cleanup, and they often have to replace their nets, which get damaged in the process.
“This will be the fourth time we’ve had to replace our nets,” Alias lamented.
Along with 11 other fishermen, Alias worked with six boats to clear the river on February 4 and 5, ensuring the waterway remained debris-free and navigable. They began their work at 9.30am, took a lunch break at noon, and resumed clearing until 4.30pm on both days.
During the clearing process, the fishermen guided floating debris downstream. Some of the debris that was closer to the riverbank was hauled up onto the shore. Their goal was to break up the waste to prevent it from blocking the waterways.
Proposed riverbank fort as long-term solution
In a bid to prevent future logjams, the village has proposed that the plantation company build a barrier along the riverbank to prevent debris from entering the water.
Idris explained that the logjam appears to be caused by young plants that were damaged during the recent flooding. He also pointed out that palm fronds and leaves left on the ground during harvests often end up in the river when floods occur. Without a proper barrier, this debris continues to block the waterway.
“I have proposed the construction of the riverbank barrier to both the District Office and the plantation company as the best solution. As long as they block the pathway and prevent debris from entering the river, I’m open to whatever design they choose for the barrier.
“This issue needs to be addressed now, or it will remain a long-term problem,” Idris stressed.
Ongoing efforts and hope for a resolution
Efforts are continuing to address the logjam crisis, and the village remains hopeful that a permanent solution will be implemented to prevent future floods and logjams.
For now, the villagers and fishermen are doing their best to maintain the river, despite the ongoing challenges. However, the hope is that the authorities and the plantation company will work together to find a long-term resolution that will ease the burden on the local community. — DayakDaily
