MIRI: The Ministry of Transport through its agencies especially the Sarawak River Board (SRB) is monitoring closely the impact of haze and drought on river transportation.
Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin assured that actions were being taken to ensure that riverine transportation continue to be safe and navigable for all users.
“We are concerned and are fully aware of the expected danger of low water level and haze on river navigation and hence are monitoring it very closely,” he said.
Lee added that at the height of the haze when the Air Pollutant Index (API) hit beyond 200 in most areas in Sarawak, poor visibility was the main problem faced by vessel operators including express boat.
He said to overcome the potential risk, Sarawak River Board issued a Riverine Notice to inform and warn boat operators of the danger of the haze to their operation and advise them to ply with greater care.
“The people’s safety is of paramount importance to us,” Lee pointed out.
Hence, boat operators were advised to ensure that the navigation lights and horns on their boats were in good working conditions and to use them when necessary especially when approaching river bends.
To date, the haze has not affected the schedule of river transportation especially for Sibu/Song/Kapit route and vice versa.
“We have yet to cease operation of our river transportation due to haze problem. It is still manageable and we pray that the situation will improve,” he said.
Due to the low water level at the upper reaches of Batang Rejang and Batang Baleh, large passenger vessels are not able to ply especially along Batang Baleh. However, the people can use smaller vessels such as speed boats and long boats.
The newly-minted Transport Minister said efforts were being intensified by the State government to link all major settlements through better road connectivity.
“However, river transport is still a very important mode of transportation in the State especially in the interior areas that are not yet accessible by roads,” he added.
