By DayakDaily Team
KAPIT, July 12: The felling of a beloved dabai tree in Song, long cherished by locals as a symbol of the town’s cultural and agricultural identity, has triggered a wave of public outcry, including condemnation from Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan.
According to a TVS news report on Friday (July 11), what began as a moment of pride for Lidam during a visit on July 2 quickly turned into disappointment.
While stopping by the Kong Ling Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple in Batang Rahang, Lidam had photographed the dabai tree, also known as the Borneo olive (Canarium odontophyllum), and shared it on Facebook, celebrating it as part of Song’s heritage.
“This is the dabai tree from Song. It’s not the season yet… Come back when the fruits are ripe,” he wrote.
More than just a seasonal fruit, dabai is deeply rooted in the identity of communities in Song and neighbouring Ngemah. The area has been officially recognised by the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development as part of the State’s “Dabai Zone” due to the fruit’s premium quality and economic significance.
Just over a week later, the same tree was felled by workers believed to be from the Kapit District Council, allegedly as part of a campaign to remove large trees from urban areas. The move shocked and saddened the community.
Lidam, clearly angered, returned to Facebook to voice his disappointment: “This is the problem when you think Song town belongs to you alone. We’ve nurtured this tree for years. Now it’s gone forever. The symbol of the Dabai Belt in Song has been destroyed. The Kapit District Council irresponsibly chopped it down.”
The decision sparked emotional responses from residents, who described the tree as more than just greenery; it was a living heritage.
For Lim Margaret, the tree served not only as a landmark but also as a significant feng shui element for the temple. Planted decades ago by an elderly man who has since passed away, the tree was believed to protect the community and bring good fortune.
“That tree held our beliefs, memories, and respect. It is a spiritual symbol we shared and treasured,” she wrote.
Fienbergson Wong, a native of Song now residing in Kuching, said the loss was especially painful given Song’s strong reputation as a dabai-producing region.
Unggit Awan expressed regret that the tree was not preserved and promoted as a local attraction.
“They could have spent a few thousand ringgit to beautify the tree and add an information plaque. It could have drawn local tourists,” he said.
Alex Fred Diglin added bluntly: “They preserved a man-made dabai icon at the riverbank but destroyed the real thing.”
For Lidam, the felling represents more than just the loss of a tree as it marks the erasure of a piece of Song’s legacy.
“This shouldn’t have happened. That tree was more than a plant. It was part of Song’s story and our role in Sarawak’s Dabai Zone,” he said. — DayakDaily
