By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 25: Deputy Minister for Transport Sarawak (Maritime and Riverine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep has linked the haze affecting Bau to paddy field burning across the border, but said farmers should not be blamed entirely as the practice is tied to their livelihoods.
Instead, Henry called for alternative farming methods and other ways to reduce open burning while acknowledging that farmers rely on the practice to clear land for cultivation.
“The smoke has something to do with survival. People are looking for food. On the other side, everyone plants paddy and they practise shifting cultivation, or hill paddy,” he told reporters after a press conference at the Tasik Biru Constituency Service Centre here today.
Henry, who is also Tasik Biru assemblyman, further said farmers needed to clear thick grass before planting, with burning being the quickest way to prepare the land.
“So, to tell them not to do it may not be quite proper because they are also trying to make a living. We understand that. But we need to find another way, the best alternative,” he said.
He said cloud seeding could also be considered if necessary, while stressing that hot weather and fires within Sarawak itself were also contributing to the haze.
“If we need cloud seeding, then do cloud seeding. But we cannot blame them 100 per cent because the weather is also hot,” he said.
Henry noted that Sarawak itself had experienced bushfires, including in Sematan and Sri Aman, while peatland fires and other burning activities had also occurred elsewhere.
He said Bau was particularly affected because of its proximity to the Indonesian border, where communities on both sides also shared close family ties.
“We are very close to the border. There are Bidayuh on the other side too. I cannot tell my Bidayuh people on the other side, even though they are in Indonesia, because they have family relationships with people in Bau,” he said.
Henry said Sarawak had already moved towards modernised paddy cultivation, reducing reliance on traditional burning practices.
He said the shift was also necessary as younger generations increasingly pursued education and other forms of employment rather than returning to traditional farming.
“During my time, I don’t think our parents sent us to school so that we could go back and plant paddy like they did. They wanted us to have a better living and better jobs,” he said.
He said modern farming methods could provide a more sustainable alternative.
“Who wants to plant paddy if there is no income? People need a salary every month,” he said.
Meanwhile, Henry said the haze was already restricting movement and affecting socio-economic activities in Bau, particularly for people who rely on outdoor work and small businesses.
“Your movement is limited. If your movement is limited, you cannot do any activity. If you open a stall, how are you going to sell? Who is going to buy? Who is going to walk around?” he said.
He said the situation was particularly difficult for those relying on odd jobs and other outdoor activities.
“It is very bad. It limits our movement and, of course, those doing these kinds of odd-job activities are also affected socio-economically,” he said.
Henry also urged Bau residents to exercise caution amid the haze, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities.
He said the Tasik Biru Run, originally scheduled for Aug 29, had been postponed because of the haze and poor weather conditions.
“Hopefully, it will be back to normal in one or two weeks. Don’t let it be too long. It is painful and dangerous. You cannot do anything,” he said.
He advised residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities where possible, while those who continued jogging should wear masks and exercise caution. — DayakDaily
