By Karen Bong
SIBU, Oct 24: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof hopes that collective efforts to protect rivers will restore the clarity of Batang Rajang’s waters and allow people to once again enjoy swimming in Sarawak’s rivers.
Recalling his childhood, Fadillah said he used to swim in Batang Igan, where fish were abundant, and expressed hope that future generations would be able to experience the same enjoyment of clean rivers.
“I also hope, particularly here in Sibu, that we can once again enjoy rivers as we did when I was young.
“When I was a child, I could swim in the Batang Igan River, where there were plenty of fish. Through collective action, I hope that the waters of the Batang Rajang River can become clear again, and that we will once more be able to swim in the rivers of Sarawak,” he said.
Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), was speaking during the National-Level World Rivers Day Celebration 2026 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here today, which was broadcasted live via Ukas Channel.
The celebration was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and attended by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Deputy Minister of Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, PETRA secretary general Dato Sri Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, DID Malaysia director general Datuk Ir Mohamad Radzi Abdul Talib and DID Sarawak director Datu Ir Ahamd Denny Ahmad Fauzi.
He said the preservation of rivers was a shared responsibility that required the participation of the government, local communities, industries, non-governmental organisations and the younger generation.
“Small efforts, such as not throwing rubbish into rivers and reporting pollution, can make a significant difference when carried out collectively,” he said.
Fadillah said rivers played an important role in people’s daily lives, serving as sources of water, transportation routes and places where communities earned their livelihoods through economic and social activities.
They also provided spaces for recreation and opportunities for people to appreciate the natural environment.
However, he said rivers could not be separated from their surrounding environments, as the condition of catchment areas, environmental cleanliness and land-use practices all influenced river conditions.
He said the public should view rivers as an integral part of their lives that needed to be protected, rather than merely used.
“We want our rivers to remain clean and our water resources to maintain their quality. We also want communities to become more aware of disaster risks and the importance of protecting the environment,” he said.
Fadillah urged the public to carry the spirit of river conservation beyond the annual celebration by making river protection part of their daily practices at home, schools, workplaces and within their respective communities.
He said PETRA, through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), had implemented the National River Trail Programme (Denai Sungai Kebangsaan) throughout the country, including Sarawak, in 2026.
The facilities were intended to provide spaces for recreation, environmental education and ecotourism, while encouraging communities to take an active role in caring for river areas.
Fadillah said the preservation of rivers was essential not only for present communities but also for future generations.
“Let us all make a collective commitment to preserving our rivers for the future and for generations to come, while contributing to the economic growth of our State and our country,” he said.
The National-Level World Rivers Day Celebration 2026, themed “Rivers and Streams in Our Communities”, featured various activities to promote river conservation, environmental awareness and community participation.
Among the activities were colouring competitions, pocket talks, photography and videography competitions, a fishing competition at Batang Rajang, Zumba, a river walk, exhibitions and the presentation of the 2026 Special Water Resources Award (AKSA). — DayakDaily
