KUCHING, Jan 24: Villagers of Kampung Duras want their single-lane road to be widened to provide safer road for motorists.
According to Habitat for Indigenous and Urban Program (Hidup) president, George Young Si Ricord Jr, the villagers of Kampung Duras have been using the 60-year-old Jalan Abad, a 2km single lane road, to get to the Kuching-Serian Road. It also works as a short cut to Kampung Sungai Duuh, Siburan.
“The residents approached Hidup to help them highlight their plight to the relevant authorities as they are fearful that it’s only a matter of time before people are killed or badly injured from accidents on the single-lane road,” George said here today.
He added that the road today is dotted with potholes and there is no street lighting.
“Residents have recounted to Hidup how their pleas to have the road repaired and the steep, sloped end made safer have fallen on deaf ears.
“Together with issues such as poor phone reception in the area, residents had reported these to their officially-appointed kampung leadership but to their disappointment no action has been taken,” he said.
Echoing the residents’ concerns George stressed that motorists’ and residents’ safety should always take top priority.
“From what I’ve seen, there is a dangerous situation that could cause fatal accidents and I cannot understand why the kampung leadership has not ensured that prompt action has been taken by the relevant authorities.”
George also added, “On behalf of the villagers of Kampung Duras, we would like to request that the relevant authorities and government agencies act promptly to fix the issues with this road to prevent any tragic loss of life or serious injury.”
One of the residents who lives at the foot of the sloping part of Jalan Abad has witnessed many accidents there, the most recent one being a Toyota Hilux that veered off the steep and slippery slope while giving way to oncoming traffic.
Kampung Duras is located some 30 km from Kuching. —DayakDaily
