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Failure to halt forest conversion in Sarawak means worse flooding is yet to come

  • Publication Date | June 24, 2021
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Deforestation, Forest Conversions, Forest Degazetting, Indigenous Peoples
  • Tags | Baram, Floods, Kampung Cina, Lawas River, Long Bemang, Long Ikang, Long Iman, Long Kawa, Long Lama, Long Laput, Long Luteng, Long Panai, Long Seridan, Marudi, Mulu, Sarawak
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Floods in Long Laput in May 2021 | Courtesy of Mary Puyang, a resident of Long Laput

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) wishes to express our continued concern on how the occurrences of floods in Sarawak, including in Baram, have become more frequent and intense in recent years. Prior to the large scale conversion of forests for the purpose of monoculture plantations, such floods were rather uncommon in the upstream areas of interior Sarawak. In all likelihood, they are part of the adverse environmental consequences of deforestation.

From the 1990s onwards, timber production in Sarawak began to decrease gradually as a result of unsustainable logging which began to intensify two decades earlier. Following the depletion in its natural timber resources, permits began to be issued for monoculture plantations, chiefly for the cultivation of pulp and paper trees and oil palm. It is not surprising that beginning from the 2010s, flooding incidence became more constant and intense in many areas in Sarawak, as reported by data published by Sarawak’s Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). 

In May, several areas in Baram were once again badly hit by the floods. The affected areas included those in the upstream of Baram such as Mulu, Long Luteng, Long Kawa, Long Ikang, Long Seridan, Long Panai, Long Iman, Long Bemang, and all the way downstream to areas such as Long Lama, Long Laput and Kampung Cina in the Marudi district.

Some of these areas such as Long Laput had also been flooded earlier during this year. The intensity of the floods in May was said to be the worst with an inundation of six feet, according to reports from the villagers. In fact, Borneo Post on May 20 reported that some areas in Baram were hit with 10 feet of water.

Long Laput flooded in May 2021 | Courtesy of Mary Puyang, a resident of Long Laput

During this flooding event, a series of property destruction also happened, including the collapse of the Tutoh Bridge. Strong currents had swept away the bridge, cutting off people in upper Baram from the outside world. Meanwhile, MASwings had to reportedly cancel 30 flights for three days from May 20 onwards, when Lawas River overflowed onto the runway. Then, the power station in Mulu had to be temporarily shut down as it was submerged in water. 

Additionally, several schools were also affected by the floods. Basically, the affected schools were unable to operate, a social cost that is burdened unto students and teachers.

Borneo Post on May 20 stated that the main pathway to Sekolah Kebangsaan Long Luteng, a suspension bridge, was washed away by strong currents. The school was reportedly inundated by water as deep as six feet, affecting even the staff living quarters, resulting in the staff themselves having to seek refuge in the staff room within the school building. The same report also described how the staff of Sekolah Kebangsaan Penghulu Baya Mallang had to move the schools’ properties to higher ground as the flood inundation reached three feet high. 

Photos show Sekolah Kebangsaan Penghulu Baya Mallang being flooded in May 2021 | Courtesy of Simon Lagang from Long Terawan

Typically, communities are the ones that are most affected by these disastrous events. On Feb 5, Malay Mail reported a statement by the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) that 18 temporary evacuation centres (PPSs) in Kuching and its surrounding districts had to accommodate 1,056 flood victims. In the Miri Division alone, on May 23, a total of 10 PPSs had to be opened. 

More recently, the Borneo Post on June 14 reported that the Mountain and Cave Search Rescue (MOCSAR) had to team up with the local villagers to clear the logs that had been swept away during the floods in May. In the same report, the Miri Fire and Rescue Department also said that the logs may pose a danger to Baram River users and their boats. 

These events all showed how costly such floods can be for the economy as well as for communities. They even have adverse impacts on our education and other social sectors. Can rural Sarawak withstand such events repeatedly every year? All these show how important it is for Sarawak to halt further forest conversions and take the correct steps to manage the situation, especially in the advent of climate change.

Therefore, we echo the call by Mr. Roland Engan, a lawyer from Baram, for the Sarawak state government to study the cause of the floods in several areas in Baram and develop a plan to resolve or mitigate them. 

Equally important, it is imperative for Sarawak to preserve the remaining forests that it still has and rehabilitate those that have been degraded by logging and other human activities. It is fundamental for the government from both federal and state level to understand and give attention to the connection between forest conversions and the rise in flooding incidence in Sarawak. In the face of climate change, the failure to do so, will mean the worst is yet to come.

Jok Jau Evong
Sahabat Alam Malaysia Sarawak Coordinator

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki,
11400 Penang,
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Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

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129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi,
Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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