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MIRI – The deaths of nine people in the Triso ferry tragedy at the Sebuyau-Saratok boundary in southern Sarawak is a reminder that the state government must build bridges over major river crossings.
Using ferries to ply these rivers should be a thing of the past, said Baram Peoples’ Action Committee chairman Philip Jau.
The activist told The Vibes today that state ministers and elected representatives often promise to look into this much-needed facility for rural folk.
“Every year, in the state budget, the rakyat hear from the ruling government that billions have been allocated for such basic amenities.
“They promise to give top priority to upgrading roads and bridges. We also hear such promises during election campaigns.
“Yet, there are many remote districts in Sarawak where bridges are needed, but not built.
“For decades, rural folk have been using ferries to take people and vehicles across rivers.
“Bridges are being built but at a very slow pace. It takes years to see a concrete bridge being constructed.
“There have been numerous tragedies at the many ferry points in rural places.
“This latest case is the worst so far.”
Michael Ding, an elder of the minority Kiput ethnic group, said Sarawak is the state with the most ferries in operation.
“In other states, almost all rivers where there were ferries now have bridges in place.
“In Sarawak, the construction of bridges has been very slow.
“This latest tragedy is a stern and urgent reminder of the need to construct bridges at major river crossings.
“Ferries are an outdated mode of travel.”
He added that in his home district of Marudi, there are two ferry crossings, and only one has a bridge.
“There are two rivers where ferries are used. One is Sg Arang between Miri and Marudi, and the other is between Marudi and Baram across Sg Baram.
“The bridge across Sg Arang has been constructed. But, works on the bridge across Sg Baram have yet to start.”
The project is said to cost RM70 million.
Today, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing said barriers will be built immediately at all ferry jetties in the state.
He added that all bridges across rivers in Jalan Persekutuan Kedua Sarawak will be ready in four years.
In the incident at the Triso ferry jetty yesterday, nine people drowned when their four-wheel drive plunged into the river while attempting to board a ferry.
The victims include a baby, three children and three teenagers. Those who died are said to be related to one another.
Preliminary investigations showed that they were travelling to Kuching from their hometown in Sibu.
The victims died despite frantic efforts by the public and ferry workers to rescue them.
The dead are Siti Aisha Abdullah, 36; Ronany Ting, 33; Nor Shuhada Mohamad, 16; Khairunnisa Muhamad, 14; Alvin Phang, 12; Wallace Phang and Mohd Aiman Mohd Hamdan, both 7; Muhd Mustaqim Mohd Hamdan, 5; and, Mohd Ahmad Mohd Hamdan, 4 months.
The Borneo Post today quoted a relative of the victims as saying the ill-fated vehicle was attempting to board the ferry as the vessel was departing the jetty.
The ferry had already left the ramp, and the vehicle driver tried to reverse, but failed as the currents dragged the car into the river.
The Sarawak Rivers Board and police have started their probe into the tragedy. – The Vibes, January 2, 2021
