My dear son Timothy,
I am now back in Murum.
It is 2 months now that the last time I was in Murum. Then you, Timothy, my loving son left me on August 29, 2013. I waited for your 40th day anniversary on September 7, 2013 to hold a prayer for you. On October 14, 2013 I proceeded again to Murum. I am here to continue with my work and to some how relieve my thoughts, feelings and conscience. I am still deeply grieving for you. I love you forever.
Yesterday I went around the site. There were so much changes in the last 2 months. The Murum dam is virtually completed. They have lowered the gate started plugging the diversion tunnel and commenced flooding the reservoir. The water level was steadily rising. Long Wat, the nearest penan longhouse is now under water. The penans have moved to their new homes in the resettlement area.
In the meantime that stretch of the Murum River between the dam and the power house has dried up. The once beautiful rapids, just half a kilometre below the dam is now gone. All that is left along that stretch are the giant boulders, polished gravels and puddles or small shallow ponds here and there. The view and scenery however are extremely beautiful. It is amazing to see what were once under water, but now exposed for all the eyes can see and appreciate.
When that stretch of the river began to dry up the locals were busy catching the fish. It was amazing for them to catch tons of fish within that 2 and a half kilometre stretch of the river. Good fish like empurau, semah mengalan and other types of fish were caught. I managed to join in the last catch, and amazed to catch a big (11 kilos) empurau and several semah averaging a kilo each. I am putting the pictures here for our pleasure to see.
I am sorry to say this my boy, but life for me has to go on. I may have lost you, but the creations of God are still around for me to see and appreciate. Hopefully I will get some comfort.
