GUA MUSANG: Residents of Kampung Batu 6 here are hoping the project to build a permanent bridge across Sungai Galas will be fast tracked as the temporary iron bridge that is currently in use often becomes impassable during heavy rainfall.
Resident Mohd Atif Adami Zulkifli, 22, said they started using the iron bridge as the main link after the original concrete structure collapsed in a flood more than three years ago.
"In a month, the bridge is not passable for three times even if it rains for only a day or less.
"I hope the relevant authorities can speed up the construction of a stronger, better permanent bridge so that we can live more comfortably and go out and do our work, tasks and chores in Gua Musang," he said when met by reporters at Kampung Batu 6, today (January 12).
Another resident, Hashim Mamat, 74, said the iron bridge that connects the 200 residents of Kampung Batu 6 to the other village and out to the town of Gua Musang is often flooded by an overflow from Sungai Galas and the situation is even worse during the current northeast monsoon.
He also claimed that the academic performance of the residents' children was also disrupted because they could not go to school every time the 40 metre (m) long iron bridge becomes impassable.
"If it rains heavily, the iron bridge will be passable so the children end up unable to go to school and we cannot go out to work either.
"During the recent monsoon season, the villagers were cut off for three days," he said.
Meanwhile, Gua Musang MP (Member of Parliament), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim said the problems faced by the residents will be given immediate attention.
"I will get detailed information from the responsible party because this temporary bridge is categorised as very critical because it can threaten the safety of children, especially school-age children," he said. — Bernama