MONDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER – Efforts to conserve and care for the cleanliness of our rivers from being polluted would be a futile one if the local community themselves are not concerned with playing their part.

Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin said the cleanliness of rivers should be given attention as the source from river water was needed for our daily use.

“Development is one of the causes of river pollution, thus the community should upgrade rivers especially at Putatan area as this would set an example because care would be given towards its cleanliness amidst all the development,” he said.

He said this at the Upgrading and Conserving of Lobster Phase Three and Awareness Campaign of Local Community Towards the Importance of Petagas River organised by the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB), UMS at the Community Hall, Petagas.

He also praised the efforts initiated by UMS in helping and sharing knowledge with the community around Petagas on the cleanliness of rivers. He added that Petagas River would ‘die’ due to pollution if conservation efforts of the river was not preserved and continued.

Five villages received lobster seeds from UMS; there were Kampung Contoh, Kampung Muhibah, Kampung Peringatan, Kampung Petagas and Kampung Tengah Padang.

Also present at the event were the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah; Project Chairman, Prof. Datin Seri Panglima Dr. Ann Anton and IPMB Director, Prof. Dr. Saleem Mustafa. – FL

 
By Mohd Affzanizam Mohd Amin
 
                                                                                                                                                                   Chancellery Department