PULAU BRUIT (Sarawak): The tragic incident of a longboat that capsized in the Batang Lassa estuary near here seven years ago, killing 11 people, not only stunned the nation but also highlighted the issue of poor access roads on the island, which is about two hours' ride by land and ferry from Sibu town.
Fast forward to today and many changes have taken place in Pulau Bruit, an island with a population of nearly 12,000 people, covering 11 villages, including the Jingga Longhouse in Sungai Kelai.
"There are paved roads connecting all the villages. Now, we only need an entrance to the village from the main road so that our vehicles can be parked in front of our homes," said Kampung Penipah chief Hadery Teras when met recently.
Datuk Abdullah Saidol, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) incumbent for the Semop state seat, said 80 per cent of the Rural Transformation Programme allocation for the constituency had been spent on building the village roads, including on the island.
Currently, only one road in Pulau Bruit has not been paved yet.
"That is a 10km rocky farm road that connects the north and south of Pulau Bruit, where an allocation of RM7.2 million has already been approved and work on the road is set to begin soon," he said.
Pulau Bruit is currently connected to the surrounding mainland and towns by two ferry points, namely the Muara Lassa Ferry Terminal in the east to go to Daro and, on the south, the Batang Paloh Ferry Terminal to go to Sibu town and Tanjung Manis.
When the RM298.9 million 1.7 km-long Batang Paloh Bridge across Sungai Batang Paloh and RM597.5 million 2.43 km-long Muara Lassa Bridge are completed, residents there will surely be able to market their agriculture produce on the mainland without having to go through the middlemen.
Both these bridges, which are expected to be ready in 2023, are part of the Sarawak coastal road construction project that is fully funded by the state government.
Longhouse chief Jingga Igun said residents of the only Iban longhouse, which has 47 units, are also actively cultivating about two hectares of pineapple plantation. However, at times, they still face road and transport problems which limit the sale of their crops on the mainland.
Daro District leader Bujang Razali , who is also a resident of Kampung Bruit, said that one of the villagers' hopes now was to see the government immediately resolve the water problems affecting three villages, namely Kampung Penipah, Kampung Bruit and Kampung Tekajong.
"The village chief has been briefed and understands that the water problem here is due to the very low water pressure because the water supply comes from elsewhere, not from Pulau Bruit itself, and we hope this can be resolved immediately," he said.
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had previously said that the island's water problem could be solved when the two bridges are completed as they would enable pipes to be installed to channel water from Tanjung Manis straight to Pulau Bruit.
At the 12th Sarawak election on Saturday (Dec 18), Abdullah, who is defending the Semop seat for a third term, will be challenged by Jenny Wong Khing Ling of Parti Bersatu Kenyalang (PBK), Abdul Raafidin Majidi of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Mohamad Fadillah Sabali of Amanah and Mohd Adenan Zulkepli (Independent).
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Dec 14 2021
The tragic incident of a longboat that capsized in the Batang Lassa estuary seven years ago, killing 11 people, also highlighted the issue of poor access roads on Pulau Bruit, which is about two hours' ride by land and ferry from Sibu. - BERNAMA
Bekas pemimpin Bangladesh, Hasina didakwa lakukan genosid
Sheikh Hasina didakwa melakukan "genosid dan jenayah terhadap kemanusiaan" semasa beberapa minggu protes ganas yang mengakibatkan ratusan orang terbunuh.
Fadillah tiba di Peru untuk hadiri mesyuarat menteri-menteri tenaga APEC 2024
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Fadillah akan mengetengahkan pendirian Malaysia dalam melaksanakan usaha peralihan tenaga negara.
Lawatan PM Anwar ke India dijangka kukuhkan hubungan ekonomi - Ramanan
Perdana Menteri Anwar dijadualkan membuat lawatan rasmi pertama ke India dari 19 hingga 20 Ogos.
PRK Nenggiri: Generasi muda tagih peluang pekerjaan
Tanpa kehadiran tapak perindustrian, rata-rata penduduk di sini hanya bergantung harap kepada pekerjaan tradisional.
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia dipilih menyertai Program Pelajar Musim Panas CERN (CSSP) 2024 di Geneva, Switzerland.
Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas
Kandapan juga cukup terkenal dengan keretanya yang turut dihiasi Jalur Gemilang, bendera Johor dan semua negeri serta pelbagai pelekat imej bertemakan kemerdekaan termasuk wajah pemimpin negara.
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
S'wak Polls: GPS retains Satok with ease
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) retained the Satok state seat in the 12th Sarawak election when its candidate, Datuk Ibrahim Baki defeated his two challengers with a 6,033-vote majority.