SRI AMAN – The authorities have been urged to improve safety features at ferry landing points in Sarawak to prevent a recurrence of the Triso jetty tragedy here.
A villager of Kg Meludam, Awang Khalid Awang Kamarudin, said there should be proper control of passenger and vehicle traffic when the ferry service is in operation.
“The safety of users is very important. After the tragedy that claimed so many lives, we should be taking appropriate measures for the sake of public safety,” he told Bernama today.
A four-wheel drive rolled off the Triso ferry point platform and plunged into Sg Batang Lupar river on Friday, killing all nine people in the vehicle.
Awang Khalid suggested that a barrier be placed to ensure orderly movement of vehicles and passengers when boarding and disembarking ferries.
According to Awang Khalid, disorganisation has led to confusion among passengers as they do not know whose instruction to follow.
“If there are guards, users, especially drivers, would know when to move.
“There is lack of control and we only started taking action after a major accident like this. These safety features should have been here long ago,” he added.
He also asked that the elderly, sick and children be given exemption to remain inside a vehicle when it is entering the ferry.
According to standard operating procedures, passengers are to alight from a vehicle before it is driven onto the ferry.
“If they have to enter the ferry on foot, there must be guard rails along the ramp to prevent people and vehicles from falling into the river during emergencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ratie Chang, 19, from Kuching said apart from building railings on the platform, ferry operators should provide facilities for persons with disabilities. – Bernama, January 4, 2021
