MIRI – Voters in the Baram parliamentary constituency in northern Sarawak are braving harsh and potentially dangerous conditions due to swollen rivers and flooded timber roads just to get to polling stations.
Floods are rampant in this constituency, which is about the same size as Pahang.
Native social activist Willie Kajan told The Vibes he had received news that floods have hit the districts of Marudi, Telang Usan and Mulu inside the Baram constituency.
“Villagers have to use longboats just to get to the polling stations as almost all the roads are flooded.
“Even in Marudi town, the floods are rising, while rivers and their tributaries have overflowed,” he said.
Baram returning officer Belayong Pok had said this morning that Election Commission workers could not get to several polling stations due to the floods and also could not fly by helicopter due to stormy weather.
He said he had asked the EC head office for further instructions and was told that the voting in Baram will continue despite the worsening floods.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that floods in Baram had hit many populated settlements and schools.
Teams from the department are patrolling these flooded zones to help victims.
The civil defence unit also reported that its teams were being deployed throughout Baram. – The Vibes, November 19, 2022
