Malaysia

Little lives at stake: Sabah’s Pitas children brave tiny boat ride to school

They are left with no choice after collapse of Sg Bengkoka hanging bridge due to floods

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 19 Feb 2022 8:00AM

Little lives at stake: Sabah’s Pitas children brave tiny boat ride to school
58 pupils from five villages in Pitas are forced to resort to taking a small boat to cross Sg Bengkoka to school, after the hanging bridge they utilised daily was ravaged by a serious flood that hit the district early January. – Pic courtesy of Eddword Upak, February 19, 2022

by Rebecca Chong

KOTA KINABALU – Another case of primary school children risking their lives to get to school via a small perahu (wooden boat) has been reported in Pitas, one of the poorest districts in Sabah and in the whole of Malaysia. 

This time, 58 pupils from five villages are forced to resort to taking a small boat to cross Sg Bengkoka to school after the hanging bridge they utilised daily was ravaged by a serious flood that hit the district in early January.

Kg Bilangau Besar village chief Eddword Upak told The Vibes that his village is one of five reliant on the hanging bridge. 

“There are about 1,000 villagers from these five villages, and we all rely on the hanging bridge to get to Kg Dandun, where SK Dandun is located.

Worse, the only health clinic around the area is in Kg Dandun. This clinic is utilised by 30 villages, including the five villages that are separated by Sg Bengkoka,” he said. 

Other than Kg Bilangau Besar, the four other affected villages are Kg Sapatalang, Kg Salungkapit, Kg Mandurian Laut and Kg Kobon. 

The villagers are currently paying RM2 per boat ride to cross the river. 

The hanging bridge used by Pitas villagers to cross Sg Bengkoka was built in 1984, about 38 years ago, and according to village chief Eddword Upak, it had been old and dilapidated for many years. – Pic courtesy of Eddword Upak, February 19, 2022
The hanging bridge used by Pitas villagers to cross Sg Bengkoka was built in 1984, about 38 years ago, and according to village chief Eddword Upak, it had been old and dilapidated for many years. – Pic courtesy of Eddword Upak, February 19, 2022

The hanging bridge was built in 1984, about 38 years ago. 

According to Eddword, it had been old and dilapidated for many years.  

“The bridge was still usable, but only a maximum of 10 people could cross the bridge at the same time. 

The bridge was further damaged during the floods in December last year, but we still used it due to our desperate need to cross over. 

“But it is now completely destroyed and cannot be utilised at all after the flood incident last month,” he said. 

Crocodiles, rapid rise of water level among dangers faced by Pitas villagers

Eddword said he fears for the safety of the villagers, especially the children, when crossing the river in a small boat, particularly as there are crocodiles in the river. 

He also said that it is extremely dangerous to cross the river during the rainy season, as the current would become very strong and the water level will rise very quickly. 

The village chief hoped this case would get the attention of the authorities. He noted that he had personally approached an elected official, but has yet to receive a response. 

The Vibes has contacted Kudat MP Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri for his comments and is waiting for his response.  

Kg Bilangau Besar village chief Eddword Upak says he fears for the safety of the villagers, especially the children, when crossing the river in a small boat, particularly as there are crocodiles in the river. – Pic courtesy of Eddword Upak, February 19, 2022
Kg Bilangau Besar village chief Eddword Upak says he fears for the safety of the villagers, especially the children, when crossing the river in a small boat, particularly as there are crocodiles in the river. – Pic courtesy of Eddword Upak, February 19, 2022

Earlier, a similar situation was reported in Kg Pituru and Kg Timbang Taun, in which 27 primary school students crammed into a boat without having life jackets on were headed to SK Mengkapon in Pitas. 

The problem was soon resolved after a non-governmental organisation from Peninsular Malaysia donated two fibre boats to the villagers

There was also a case in Kg Nelayan Tengah, Sandakan involving primary school students braving a dilapidated hanging bridge to get to school. – The Vibes, February 19, 2022

Related News

Malaysia / 1h

Sabah assistant minister invites Rafizi to work together on poverty eradication

Malaysia / 2d

Sabah orders immediate water supply to over 50,000 households

Opinion / 2d

Stop the KK witch-hunt, save Malaysia, the ringgit and Madani – Wilfred Madius Tangau

Malaysia / 4d

Rafizi’s push for Padu too assertive, bordering on coercive: Sabah DCM

Business / 5d

Pan Borneo Highway delay attributed to delivery partner’s termination by previous Sabah govt

Malaysia / 5d

Fatal assault? Teen attacked by mates in hostel prior to death: police

Spotlight

Events

UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

Malaysia

Don’t let politicians, activists stir up hatred against KK Mart, PBK tells cops

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

7.7 mil people registered in Padu, 2.5 mil cyberattacks, but not one success: Rafizi

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Farewell Aunty Bersih, you will be missed

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia

KK Mart founder, director charged with wounding religious feelings of others over 'Allah' socks

By The Vibes Team

You may be interested

Malaysia

Food wastage, growing population major causes of global food shortage

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Water bombing carried out to douse massive Sarawak forest fires

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Sabah assistant minister invites Rafizi to work together on poverty eradication

By Jason Santos

Malaysia

MMEA team spots forest fire near school in Kuala Baram

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

MCA Youth latest to condemn petrol bomb attack at KK Mart outlet

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Speed limit at George Town World Heritage Site reduced to 40 km/h

By Shahrim Tamrin

Malaysia

Jellyfish washed ashore at KK beach harmless, says Fisheries Department

By Jason Santos

Malaysia

Padu: No need for excessive information unrelated to one’s financial status, says Abang Jo

By The Vibes Team