In a Facebook post today, the Baleh assemblyman feared that there would be deadly consequences as smooth flow of the river was blocked by the construction of the Baleh Dam.

“It is common knowledge among HEP (hydroelectric project) operators that logging activities at the watershed … will cause siltation and thus will reduce the lifespan of the dam,” Bernama quoted Masing as saying.

“In order to stop this logjam from recurring, please do not renew their timber licences to operate on the upper reaches of Batang Baleh (Baleh river),” he said.

Masing recalled the 2010 logjam in the river and blamed it on logging activities at the upper reaches of the river.

The logjam in the head waters of Batang Baleh in 2010 stretched all the way from Kapit to Sibu.

In his Facebook post, Masing wrote that dead fish and wildlife, including crocodiles, were found floating in the river.

He said the Ibans residing along Batang Baleh were petrified and did a special offering to pacify the gods in Ulu Baleh, who they thought were angry at the environmental damage caused by logging activities.

“It seemed the ‘miring’ ceremony of 2010 did not pacify the right gods.

“The ‘gods’ who caused the logjam are human beings! They are the timber concessionaires.”

He said they operated in the head waters of Batang Baleh, with devastating impact on the environment.