Slow Down

(From left) Vincent, Lau and Awang Bemee with one of the families in Kampung Datu Lama during their visit to the flood affected area.

Skippers told not to create strong waves

By Othman Bin Ishak, ET 14/12/2007

SIBU: The juragan (skippers) of tug boats, speed boats, fishing trawlers, express boats and all other kinds of vessels here were strongly reminded to slow down, whenever they pass by all the kampungs situated along the river bank of Batang Igan.Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government and Member of Parliament for Sibu, Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew stressed if they did not slow down, the strong waves created would likely cause damage to the wooden floors and walls of kampung houses built along the banks of Batang Igan such as those in Kampung Nangka, Kampung Hilir and Kampung Datu Lama. He said due to the high water level in rivers during this time of the year and the flood situation in the division, the juragan should be more considerate and also be aware of the safety of kampung dwellers along the river banks. He was speaking to journalists during his visit to the Flood Operations Room at Sri Rejang, Jalan Awang Ramli Amit, yesterday.Lau was accompanied by Pelawan State Assemblyman, Vincent Goh and Nangka State Assemblyman, Awang Bemee bin Hj Awang Ali Basah.Later, they went to visit the affected kampungs to personally meet with kampung folks while having a closer look at the flood situation in the areas involved.“Thus, the close cooperation from the juragan of tug boats, speed boats, fishing trawlers, express boats and all other kind of vessels is very important, especially during the current flood season. We want to avoid any untoward incidents, especially from the big waves created by speeding vessels,” he added.Lau also reminded all parents in the three kampungs here to closely monitor the movement of their little children to ensure their safety especially when water levels were rising. He said, according to the Meteorological Department, there would be more rain in the next few days.He added that more evacuation centres for victims would be set up if necessary. Meanwhile, he said flood relief committees and other related parties were all ready to face any emergency situation.