A Stand for the Better

For the fifth time, on 17 November 2016, Malaysians dressed in YELLOW took to the streets of major cities across the nation to make a public stand on issues crucial to the health of the country and the well-being of future generations. Bersih 5 was a peaceful, democratic protest that called for Free and Fair Elections, the Right to Dissent, the Strengthening of Parliamentary Democracy, and the Empowerment of Sabah and Sarawak, among other demands for reform.

In Kota Kinabalu, at Ujana Rimba Tropika, we saw a heartening mix of familiar faces and new ones - people from different walks of life united by a shared concern for the nation’s direction.

The silence of many, however, was understandable. Some believed that protests would change nothing. Others were constrained by circumstances - civil servants, employees of government-linked companies (GLCs), or individuals bound by contracts with the government. Their absence was often not due to apathy, but to personal or professional risk.

What was most disappointing, though, was seeing individuals who had been very vocal in private - particularly in closed chat groups - now retreat into silence. These were the same people who frequently quoted powerful lines like “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” And yet, when the moment came to stand in solidarity, in broad daylight, and speak truth to power alongside others at Bersih 5, they were nowhere to be seen.

In such moments, the stark contrast is painfully clear: some are courageous enough to walk the talk, while others remain armchair warriors at best, or worse, grand performers who thrive on rhetoric but shy away from action.

With Gina in the middle, wife of Vincent Gadalon.

With Lam Kee Hing.

Top photo: With Joseph Wong (left) and Chua Tok Sing (middle).
Bottom left photo: With Peter Tsen.

Sourcing Water for Portable Water Supply Schemes

Searching for suitable water sources for portable water supply schemes often takes us deep into forested catchment areas. These treks are not always easy - steep terrain, dense vegetation, and unpredictable weather can make the journey physically demanding and logistically challenging. Yet, every so often, the hard work pays off, not just in terms of technical findings, but also in the breathtaking views and untouched natural beauty we encounter along the way.

Our most recent excursion brought us to Kiulu, where we set out to assess a small river upstream of the Tuaran River as a potential intake site. Although we attempted to access the area via an alternative route, the effort proved unsuccessful due to difficult terrain and unclear trails. Nonetheless, the journey was far from disappointing. The scenery along the way was simply spectacular - rolling hills, cascading waters, and panoramic views that made the entire trip worthwhile.

However, tapping into rivers in this part of Sabah comes with its own set of challenges. The river system in Kiulu is well-known for two things: white water rafting and the Tagal System. The Tagal System is a traditional community-based river management practice whereby fishing is strictly prohibited in designated zones, except during specific times of the year. These zones are managed by individual villages or kampung, with each section of the river falling under the stewardship of local communities. Fishing is typically permitted during the dry season, usually between February and April (Read here).

This sustainable system ensures the preservation of fish populations and river health, but it also means that any water extraction efforts must take into account the social and ecological frameworks in place. As such, any plans to draw water from the Kiulu river system will require close collaboration with local stakeholders and careful consideration of both environmental and cultural factors.

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While in Kiulu, we took the opportunity to visit my maternal uncle, Wesley Dungko Pai, whose house is nestled right beside the Tuaran River. It was a meaningful stop, as we hadn’t seen him since our last visit in February 2013 (Read here).

We were fortunate to catch him at home - just in time before he was due to leave for Kota Kinabalu to attend a birthday celebration organized by his children later that evening. Coincidentally, it was his birthday that very day - 9 November 2016 - and he had just turned 79.

Uncle Wesley has always been supportive and open-minded when it comes to community development. He expressed a receptive attitude toward the idea of the government abstracting water from the river system for a public water supply scheme. His perspective, grounded in both local knowledge and community experience, adds valuable insight as we consider the viability and acceptance of such projects in the area.