COMMENT In 1978, we travelled to Sarawak to see for ourselves the rich ethnic and biodiversity there - the beauty of the Rajang, its waters, bountiful forests and multi-ethnic indigenous peoples upstream.

Although the disruptive effects of capitalism had begun to take effect, the devastation of the forest by the Bakun dam project was not yet evident. The Rajang was truly an awesome river, awesome in its expanse at Sibu town and even more awesome upstream in the Upper Balui, where our shallow boat had to skirt the breath-taking rapids.