Risky business: Mohd Iqbal Roslan using the temporary log bridge across Sungai Depok in Kampung Miak, Kelantan. — Bernama
GUA MUSANG: About 40 families in Kampung Miak here are risking their lives walking on logs to cross Sungai Depok after a wooden bridge connecting the village collapsed and was swept away by strong currents.
A resident, Tg Usri Tg Hamzah, 55, said they are aware of the danger but have no choice after the over 50-year-old wooden bridge, the only link to Gua Musang and Kuala Krai, collapsed on Dec 21.
This means that the residents cannot go out to buy food supplies, send their children to school or grow crops to sell because their movements are restricted.
“Currently, we are using a makeshift bridge of two logs to cross the river.
“Residents of Kampung Laloh, Kuala Krai would be waiting for us on the other side of the river with their vehicles to give us rides to do our daily errands, including sending more than 50 children to SK Lela Jasa and SMK Laloh,” he told Bernama yesterday.
Tg Usri said that apart from using the logs, there are daredevil residents who take the risk by using four-wheel drive vehicles (4WDs) to cross the river.
According to Muhammad Hasan, 56, the residents cannot sell their rubber and vegetable products after the bridge, courtesy of a logging company in the 1970s, collapsed despite being repaired several times.
“We hope that the logging company can repair the bridge as soon as possible and also request that the state government build an iron bridge or a special alternative route for the residents,” he said.
Gua Musang district chief Ab Pattah Hasbulah said his office is aware of the problems faced by the villagers and have sent them basic food aid and cash to ease their burden.
“The distance from Kampung Miak to the main Gua Musang-Kuala Krai road is 30km and you have to use a 4WD vehicle because the road is not paved,” he said.
“An alternative route that can connect this village with the outside area is through Sungai Lebir, which takes an hour along the river.”
