KOTA BELUD: The villagers of Bukid in the Kadamaian constituency are compelled to risk their lives by using a dilapidated suspension bridge constructed by an elderly local to cross the Maranggoi River, which is on the verge of collapse.
Josely Taising, a prospective candidate for the Democratic People’s Welfare Party (KDM), during a recent visit to the village, stated that the residents claim the suspension bridge, which serves as a crucial route to agricultural lands, is not sturdy, particularly the bamboo floor structure.
He mentioned that the villagers have reported that the request for a new suspension bridge (across the Maranggoi River) has been submitted annually by the Bukid Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) because it is the main access route for the villagers to their farming areas.
Josely noted that according to complaints from the villagers, the request for repairs to the bridge has been repeatedly submitted for nearly eight years, yet to this day, the outcome has been “disappointing.”
“There used to be a suspension bridge, but it was swept away by floodwaters at that time.
“Ironically, with the state government’s strong finances and impressive reserves as advertised, is there still a suspension bridge like this in 2025?” Josely remarked in a recent social media post.
He assured that issues faced by villagers like this would be addressed if given a mandate in the upcoming state election (PRN).
Josely was informed of an incident that occurred some time ago when a villager returning from the farm attempted to cross the river at night.
“But just as the floodwaters came, and since it was getting dark, he bravely decided to cross the river, but he was swept away by the current; fortunately, he got caught in the riverbank,” he said
Following that shocking event, Josely mentioned that an 80-year-old villager took it upon himself to create that suspension bridge, sourcing the materials and doing all the work on his own.
