MIRI – Rural Sarawak farmers are facing a double whammy threatening their daily livelihood – crop failures caused by widespread pest attacks while being afflicted by flood woes.
Sarawak PKR chairman Roland Engan called on the relevant ministries to look into the plight of these farmers, warning that the crop failures will affect them for many months to come.
“The first two to three months of this year have seen rural farmers suffering from devastating crop failures
“They are losing their crops to pests and other animals like birds,” he said.
“Last year they already suffered year-long crop destruction due to floods.
“We in PKR are getting appeals from afflicted farmers who are asking the state government for aid,” he added in a press statement today.
On February 17, the Penan community living in the remote settlement of Long Tanyit deep in central Sarawak appealed for food aid after their farms were overwhelmed by massive flash floods.
The floods started on February 13 in the area located in the Hulu Rajang parliamentary constituency in Belaga.
MaYau Imang, the Penan chief of the affected villagers, alerted the office of PKR’s Hulu Rajang branch chief Abun Sui Anyit to highlight their plight and seek help for urgent aid.
“The floods that started on February 13 had drowned all the farmlands and destroyed all the crops planted by the Penan,” Sui said.
“Penan headman MaYau had appealed for food aid. The severe flood caused extensive damage to crops and houses,” Sui told reporters here.
Long Tanyit is located about eight hours away from Bintulu town.
Sui, who is Sarawak PKR deputy chairman, said PKR Hulu Rajang is arranging for aid.
He also called on the state authorities to immediately respond with material and food supplies to the flood victims.
The state politicians and the welfare department can render faster aid relief using helicopters or speed boats. – The Vibes, March 3, 2023
