SMC wants rivers board to investigate sunken barge in Rajang River

SMC chairman Clarence Ting

SIBU (Jan 31): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will request for the Sarawak Rivers Baaoard (SRB) to investigate a sunken barge along the Rajang River.

During a full council meeting today, SMC chairman Clarence Ting said members of the public are concerned the sunken barge may cause unwanted incidents.

“It comes up and down depending on the tide. We’ve seen one sunken boat in the middle of Rajang River and that is very dangerous.

“My jet ski friends have personally seen it floating and sinking depending on the tide,” he said.

Ting said SMC must urgently highlight the matter to SRB and Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

He said the council would also write to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing as the issue also involved tourism.

Ting pointed out that the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) recently promoted river cruises here.

“So, this is a very dangerous situation.  If it is a cruise, it involves passengers,” he added.