New RM400,000 bridge brings relief to Orang Asli in Gua Musang

New Straits Times

3 days ago

GUA MUSANG: The construction of a new RM400,000 bridge across Sungai Balar in Pos Balar, set to begin this month, has brought much-needed relief to more than 1,000 Orang Asli residents in the area.
Orang Asli Village Development and Safety Committee chairman Hanan Anjang said he was grateful that the villagers' difficulties had finally received the attention of the authorities.
"We are truly thankful to the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) for its concern over the plight of the Orang Asli community in this remote area," he said when contacted.
Hanan said the original structure, a steel suspension bridge, collapsed three months ago after Sungai Balar overflowed following heavy rain in March.
"Since then, crossing the river has been very challenging.
"We have had to carry motorcycles by hand just to reach Gua Musang town, and many of our children have been unable to attend school.
"Over the past three months, we built two makeshift wooden bridges, but both were swept away by rising river levels during heavy rains," he said.
Although construction of the permanent bridge, under a design-and-build contract, is expected to begin this month, Hanan said the villagers have agreed to rebuild a temporary crossing in the meantime.
Hanan added that the RM400,000 project is expected to be completed within three months.
"To ease movement for now, especially for school children, we will reconstruct a temporary bridge across Sungai Balar," he said.
It was reported that Jakoa would expedite the construction of the new bridge to replace the original structure, which was washed away by strong currents on March 9.
Jakoa director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor had said that the location, terrain, and weather conditions would be carefully considered during the construction process.