By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 23: Treacherous road conditions have claimed the lives of a school staff from SK Long Jekitan and her child, who drowned while attempting to cross the Sengayan River in Long Jekitan.
The incident remains a haunting memory for the remote communities, said Telang Usan assemblyman who called for urgent repair of roads and bridges abandoned by logging companies.
“Our heartfelt plea now is for the government to urgently consider repairing the roads and bridges that were abandoned by the logging companies—for the sake of the survival and well-being of our communities deep in the interior,”said Dennis when delivering his motion of appreciation on TYT’s address in Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today.
He said logging and dirt roads in Telang Usan constituency are not just mere route but lifelines connecting residents to the nearest towns such as Long Lama, Marudi, or Miri City.
“Without proper upgrades, the people are forced to endure muddy, potholed, and unsafe roads, especially during the rainy season.
“Access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and government offices is also compromised due to the poor condition of the roads,” he said.
In the event of emergencies at rural clinics, residents have no choice but to request helicopter transport to get patients to medical facilities, due to impassable roads and disrupted connectivity. Students, teachers, and school staff also face major challenges commuting to school if damaged roads and bridges are not addressed promptly.
With improved road network, local residents, especially farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs, would find it much easier to market their agricultural produce in towns and cities. Currently, many suffer financial losses as vehicles struggle to enter or exit the area to transport goods for sale, he said.
To him, neglected and inaccessible roads also hinder authorities from carrying out effective monitoring which opens the door to illegal activities such as unauthorized logging, smuggling, or poaching.
“The already critical condition of roads and bridges has worsened with the shutdown of almost all logging companies that had been operating for decades, due to various issues,” he said. — DayakDaily
