Water villagers seek action on floating trash

By Sabrina Rosli

KAMPONG Ayer is a Brunei gem: in addition to being home to 30,000 people and a “must see” tourist attraction, it is also a place with a unique history.

Although it has existed for more than 1300 years, it has grown with the times and these days most of the pastel-painted wooden houses on stilts are spacious air-conditioned apartments with efficient piped water, gas and waste disposable systems.

Surrounded by schools, clinics, mosques, shops and clinics, the houses constructed over the Brunei river are sadly also encircled with a huge amount of rubbish floating under and around houses.

Some residents worry that the rubbish is not only an eyesore but a health issue and they are concerned about the kampong’s garbage disposal system.

Residents say the government runs a service for rubbish to be collected from people’s homes two to three times a week. But residents are concerned about how to remove the accumulated rubbish around their homes and would like the authorities’ assistance to do this.

Some villagers say they fear that families with children and babies are potentially at risk of contracting diseases.

Residents also have to put up with the unpleasant stench of rubbish while attracting unwanted attention from vermin.

The rubbish accumulates when the tide washes floating garbage into the home areas. The garbage settles on the river bed when the tide is low and floats to the surface when the tide is high. Though tides take the rubbish away for a short while, the tides bring it back to surface around the home areas.

Local resident, Dk Hjh Norsalam Pg Hj Omar Ali, suggested that authorities need to be more vigilant in ensuring that sub-contractors, commissioned to keep the river clean, do their job.

“They should monitor the rubbish collection from our river consistently,” she said.

“If private companies are hired to clear out our river on a constant basis, relevant authorities should make sure they do so.

“I have encountered insects and snakes in my home and I know it’s due to the filthy environment.”

Another resident, Pg Hj Umar Pg Besar, also urged the authorities to assist in dealing with the problem.

“We want a clean environment to live in. Our area is located so that when the tide is low, the garbage will settle on our grounds. When the tide is high the rubbish will continue to float.

“Relevant authorities should look into our needs. Rubbish disposal services provided by the government to the residents on land should be provided to us, too.”

Pg Hj Sulaiman Pg Laila Raja Og Hj Buntar added: “There used to be services provided to clear rubbish surrounding our home but now we have none. Relevant authorities should step in.”

One of the head villagers of Kampong Ayer, Pg Bakar Pg Ahmad, was distressed about the image of the kampong when tourists and others visited the kampong.

“Whenever I see tourists coming to our area, I sometimes would feel too embarrassed to come out and greet them, as they would also be taking pictures of the vast amount of garbage,” he said.

From the Brunei Times, 26th August, 2006

Well my question is. Where did all the rubbish came from in the first place? Perhaps Miss Sobrina happened to interview those rare Kampong Ayer residents who have never thrown rubbish into the water, so they’re rather ignorant of the fact that 80% of all the rubbish are actually HOUSE supplies and foodstuffs (at one point, I have even seen a floating mini-refrigerator – how’s that for taking the phrase “sasak ku benda ani, buang karang ke laut” literally).

Rubbish can be controlled yes, but it also takes active measures from the residents themselves. I know that I am not usually sympathetic to the lambatness of all things connected to the Government and all bureaucratic offices as a general, but in this case, I would make it an exception. The RELEVANT AUTHORITIES (wink wink), who are in this case, the Brunei Muara District Office, has the most populated district in Brunei Darussalam under its wings, not just those from Kampong Ayer. It is not THEM who should be minding your household sisa sisa pepejal rumahtangga, it is the community who should STOP LITTERING!

I’m not saying that those who live on land never litter. We have an entirely different problem with thrash. OPEN BURNING. WHICH IS ILLEGAL. But let’s not go into that. Yet.

Disclaimer: If you are from Kampong Ayer and you never litter, but you feel offended that I am accusing you of such a disgusting habit, CHILL. I am clearly only talking about those who litter.