SANDAKAN – The federal government has allocated RM400,000 for the immediate reconstruction of a bridge and jetty in Pulau Pababag, Semporna after school children fell into the water when the jetty collapsed, last Monday.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said his ministry has handed over the order letter for implementation to Semporna District Office today.
He also said in a statement today that he was informed of the incident when he was in Sabah on January 30 to inspect the flood situation in Pitas.
He was told that 35 students and two teachers arrived at the jetty at about 6.20am when the wooden jetty and bridge collapsed.
“I have instructed the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to immediately contact the Semporna District Office to investigate and take immediate action because the path (jetty and bridge) is the only one used by residents, including sending children to school and Tadika Kemas (kindergarten) in Pulau Pababag.
“I hope the construction of the bridge and jetty can be done as soon as possible to help at least 151 students and 35 pre-schoolers, as well as villagers whose daily movement has been affected by the collapsed bridge and jetty,” he said.
Last Monday, a video of primary school pupils who fell into the sea after a jetty collapsed in Pulau Pababag, Semporna had gone viral on social media.
In the video, children were seen without life jackets, and they can be heard crying while several teachers were at the scene to help the students get on the boat.
Semporna is known as Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal’s stronghold seat. – The Vibes, February 2, 2023.
