Dr Chan: Losses caused by logjam around RM2.7 mln
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=68295

Posted on October 13, 2010, Wednesday

KUCHING: Damages and losses resulting from the recent floating wood debris clogging the Baleh and Rajang Rivers were estimated to be RM2.7 million.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam revealed this at a media conference yesterday.

Dr Chan said the wood debris brought about by the fast water current had badly damaged two bridges and five jetties in the Baleh area.

“The two bridges were situated just below the Malataiheli Camp in Baleh and the five jetties were located at Entawau Clinic, SK Sembilik, Entawau Longhouse, Nangga Entelawan and Sembilik longhouse,” he said.

Dr Chan said the government was still investigating the root cause of the river disaster and did not rule out that it was caused by a combination of factors.

He explained that the flow of the debris that started from Malataiheli Camp in Baleh reached Putai in 13 hours and from there it took another 13 hours to reach Kapit before it moved to Sibu in the next 19 hours and reached Sg Igan in 22 hours.

“There is a possibility of illegal logging activities along the river bank and the massive rainfall may have caused the river disaster and clogging. Certainly this is the first time it ever happened,” he added.

“It was quite terrifying. Thanks to Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and Kapit Resident’s Office who managed to give ample warnings to all river users an hour before the debris hit the towns along the Rajang River,” he said.

He said notices had now been given out to major river users like express boats and others who use the river as a means of transport.

Dr Chan, who is also chairman of State Disaster and Relief Committee, also revealed that the government would clean up the river in stages because half submerged logs might endanger boats.

“In some places, we even put hazard lights to warn boat operators on the location of clustered and half submerged logs along the river as they pose serious danger to shipping,” he said.

On the question of whether they had identified the wrong doers who may have caused the disaster, Dr Chan said they would take action on the culprits.

“We cannot monitor everything now and cannot confirm who caused or what caused this disaster,” he insisted.

He said the government was looking at all possibilities and would not jump to a conclusion.

Also present at the media conference was Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang and officers from NREB and SRB.

So far, no news on the so called "wrong doers"...

After all the issues and hoo-ha about environmental damage caused by over-logging and dam-building;

This was just waiting to happen.

This may be the 1st, but if nothing is done - I foresee this happening alot more often.

"He said the government was looking at all possibilities and would not jump to a conclusion."
past tense used here. so probably it's concluded as an "Act of God" at a suitable time for press release. Budget?

http://dayakbaru.com/weblog08/2010/10 ... -normal-natural-disaster/

Read that.

Sooooo obvious that something is covered up now. must be some big shot linked company that is involved.

WTK...

aiyoh..,lu olang tidak pandai le .itu batang batang alir alir di sungai sebab - lot tai shui ma...

"lot tai shui" hahaha, the san pa all the chaa sua... lao lok lai, bopien.