KUCHING (Nov 3): Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB) distributed 130 safety jackets to penambang (river taxi) operators plying the Sarawak River as well as the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB).
Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, who is also BPHB chairman, witnessed the handover during a simple ceremony at the English Tea House at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi, Kuching Waterfront here yesterday.
In his speech, BPHB president and chief executive officer Dato Ruslan Abdul Ghani emphasised that water safety must be a priority whether at sea or rivers, as the risks are similar.
"We at Bintulu are used to being at sea, but here it's the river. Whether at sea or the river, safety remains the same. It is our shared responsibility to safeguard it.
"BPHB feels it is our responsibility to ensure that those using the river, especially during festive seasons when penambang activity increases, remain safe. That is why we are sharing these safety jackets -- they save lives," he said.
Ruslan also urged penambang operators to ensure all passengers wear safety jackets throughout their journey, regardless of the weather conditions.
"Even if it's a bit hot, it's fine. What's important is to wear them. We never know when the situation might require it," he said.
He also expressed pride that 16 penambang operators on the Sarawak River were now collaborating with BPHB to promote the traditional 'pantun' poetry through decorations on their boats.
"We want to uphold the 'pantun' tradition so that future generations will continue to recognise our cultural heritage. It is also a way to showcase Sarawak's rich history and culture, as well as our penambang," he said.
The programme was part of BPHB's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to raise awareness of river safety particularly among penambang operators, who remain a vital pulse of traditional transportation in Kuching, and their passengers.
Additionally, the effort supports SRB's initiatives of strengthening water safety practices through strategic collaboration between the corporate sector and local community.
BPHB said such aid contributions not only enhance public safety and welfare, but also reflect continuous CSR towards developing Sarawak's communities, and hoped the programme could serve as an example for more agencies and corporations to come forward and support community safety and wellbeing.