By Karen Bong
SIBU, Oct 24: The 32 piers of Batang Lupar Bridge 1 near Sebuyau may have contributed to an increase in the population of terubok fish in the area, providing an unexpected environmental and economic benefit from the infrastructure project.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the increase was observed by residents of Kampung Sebuyau following the completion of the bridge, which was built across Batang Lupar.
He said the discovery was particularly interesting as previous research had been conducted to determine how to increase the terubok population in the area, which was believed to have been declining.
“When the bridge with its 32 piers was completed, the number of terubok fish increased.
“One possible reason is that the bridge piers provide a source of food for the terubok,” he said when officiating at the National-Level World Rivers Day Celebration 2026 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here today, which was broadcasted live via Ukas Channel.
Abang Johari said the development was an unexpected outcome of the bridge project, which had initially been undertaken to improve connectivity.
“Previously, we had commissioned researchers from New Zealand to study the terubok population, but the research was unsuccessful.
“However, when we built the bridge, there was an unexpected by-product: an increase in the terubok population,” he said.
He added that a similar observation had been made at Batang Lassa, where the terubok population also increased following the completion of a bridge.
Abang Johari said the bridges had also contributed to cleaner river water, as fewer people were using outboard-powered boats, which could release oil into the rivers.
With road connectivity improving, the reliance on river transportation had declined, reducing boat traffic and potentially benefiting the river ecosystem.
He said the experience demonstrated how infrastructure development could produce benefits beyond its primary purpose, including supporting river-based economic activities.
The Premier stressed that rivers must be kept clean, warning that pollution could reduce oxygen levels in the water and cause fish populations to decline.
“Do not throw bottles or rubbish into rivers. When we keep our rivers clean, they become a source of livelihood for fishermen and the people living along them,” he said.
He said Sarawak’s development approach must strike a balance between infrastructure expansion and environmental protection, particularly under the Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, 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 were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
