By Shikin Louis
BAU, May 1: Difficult access for waste collection in rural and interior areas is a key factor contributing to river pollution in Sarawak, as rubbish from villages often ends up in waterways when disposal services cannot reach remote settlements.
Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said many longhouse and interior communities face logistical challenges where narrow, hilly and distant roads prevent garbage trucks from entering, leaving residents with limited waste disposal options.
“In rural areas, especially in interior locations like longhouse settlements where garbage trucks cannot enter, rivers often end up being affected.
“If waste is still in the drain, it falls under the responsibility of the district council. But once it flows out of the drain into the river, it becomes the responsibility of the river agency.
“If local councils are able to collect waste from these interior areas, then people will not end up dumping rubbish into rivers. But once it is already in the river, it becomes a river pollution problem,” he told reporters after the Bung Bratak Day 2026 celebration held at the site today.
He was responding to a reporter’s query on the challenges of managing waste in rural areas and its link to recurring river pollution issues in the State.
He said river cleaning efforts are still ongoing, including daily maintenance of major waterways under term contracts managed by the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), but stressed that upstream waste disposal remains the root cause. — DayakDaily
