MIRI August 27, 2009: Efforts to send food aid to Penan natives in Central Sarawak are now stalled after a timber giant dismantled an iron bridge that provided critical access to 3,000 people living deep in remote areas.
On Thursday, more than 1,600 packets of rice weighing 16,000kg were despatched by donors through the Miri Catholic Church.
However, the food is now stuck at the Sungai Asap settlement about 50km from the Bakun Dam.
Lorries delivering the food discovered they could not cross Sungai Linau because a timber giant based in Sibu had dismantled the bridge.
The timber concession area was earmarked for flooding this October in order to create a reservoir for the Bakun Dam.
Reverend Father Sylvester Ding, who is coordinating the aid collection, said it would take a long time to carry more food aid across te Sungai Linau by boat.
“We are in a dilemma about how to sent the food aid to Lusong Laku settlement and SRK Lusong Laku where food shortage is most acute.
“We have no choice but to seek help from locals to transport the food aid across the river.
“We will also will try to reach five other settlements near the Indonesian border by other routes.
“We hope the weather remains favorable so that we send the food. It has been a few weeks since supply reached those in need,” he said.
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