Save the Tapah fish: Long Terawan villagers want Likau Mayoh River gazetted to protect spawning habitat

Gary speaking at the launch of the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network held at Long Terawan, Mulu today (April 6, 2021).

By Lian Cheng

KUCHING, April 6: Long Terawan villagers are requesting the Sarawak government to gazette the Likau Mayoh River as a Tapah Breeding Reserve Area.

According to Councillor Gary Hassim, the river is a breeding and spawning ground for Tapah fish and should be protected to ensure that the freshwater catfish does not go extinct in the area.

“There is a river which is known as the Likau Mayoh River where Tapah fish usually breed or spawn every year. That is why we hope the river can be gazetted as a reserve area for Tapah fish breeding,” said Gary during the launch of the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network held at Long Terawan, Mulu today.

He also requested the Sarawak government to lend its expertise in fish breeding as he envisioned that one day, Long Terawan may become a tourism destination for local and foreign anglers.

As the representative of the villagers giving a welcoming speech to the visit of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was officiating at the event, Gary also took the opportunity to put forth the request for the Sarawak government to pay special attention to the education of the children of the village and those in its vicinity.

“We hope to see our children becoming successful, especially in the fields of technology, medical and engineering so that they may thrive in this technological era,” said Gary, who also expressed his gratitude for the choice of setting up a satellite broadband network in SK Penghulu Baya Mallang, Long Terawan.

Apart from that, Gary also asked for government assistance in turning the village around by introducing agricultural and husbandry training for the villagers.

“As we are far from the urban area, we hope the Sarawak government and its agencies will bring in training of agriculture and husbandry which is environmental friendly and which is suitable to rural areas, so that we may raise our standard of living,” he said. — DayakDaily