“I think it would be excruciatingly taxing and burdensome to impress on rural folk, who either depend on rivers as a mode of transport or as a source of income to purchase life jackets to safeguard their safety.
“Rather, I am suggesting that the corporate sector come forward as part of their CSR to donate life jackets to them, who otherwise might not be able to afford them,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted.
Lee was responding to a recent boat tragedy in Kanowit which claimed three lives.
A family of seven was returning to their longhouse in Nanga Nirok after picking durians and ‘dabai’ from their orchard when the longboat they were travelling in hit a tree branch and capsized.
But Lee was quick to point out that providing them with life jackets alone might be inconsequential to guarantee their safety.
He did not discount the fact that safety awareness among rural folk might still be lacking.
“Having been used to travel in sampan, I think the aspect of safety is not given serious thought and attention.
“Their knowledge, exposure and economic background perhaps explain why safety is out on the backburner.”
To address the gap, he suggested that corporate bodies roll out more safety educational programmes in the hinterlands to elevate the level of safety awareness among rural folk.
“As part of their CSR, corporate citizens should visit villages and longhouses in Sarawak to expound on safety and stress the importance of wearing life jackets when travelling by boats.”
Lee said untoward incidents could happen when least expected, irrespective of the distance of the journey.
Meanwhile, Sibu Fire and Rescue Services Department (Bomba) chief Abdul Mutalib Rashid, in giving safety tips, reminded longhouse folk to put on life jackets each time they travel by boat.
“Don’t take safety for granted as anything can happen along the way. As such, safety precautions must be put in place at all times.”
He cautioned the folk against overloading as this could make the boat unstable, especially when there was a swift current.
Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh echoed Mutalib’s view, advising those who could not swim to wear a life jacket when using a boat.
Mauh recalled that in the past most longhouse folk were adept swimmers as they depended on river to travel.
“But due to rapid modernisation, most longhouses are accessible by roads and dependency on river as a mode of transport has gradually diminished.
“Many children go to town schools now, and may not know how to swim. As such, teachers and parents need to ensure that these children wear life jackets.”
With the inclement weather expected from now until next month, he advised parents to keep their children away from riverbanks and avoid playing in floodwater.
A local community leader Penghulu Enyang Menchol also advised longhouse folk to wear life jackets when making trips using longboats.
“The water current is very strong and people can be swept away if they are not careful. We need to take the necessary precautions when travelling by river, like putting on a life jacket.
“This is nothing new. It’s just like when we are on the road, we need to fasten our safety belts or wear helmets.”
Source : TheBorneoPost.com
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