Mas Gading rep urges action on Selampit bridge, road projects to prevent boat capsize tragedy

Bomba personnel transporting a boat during the SAR operation for three students who remain missing after a boat capsized today on Sungai Kayan.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Aug 20: Mas Gading assemblyman Mordi Bimol has called for immediate action from both the Federal and Sarawak governments regarding the severely delayed Selampit bridge and Kendaie-Selampit road projects, in light of today’s tragic boat capsizing incident at Sungai Kayan, where three students remain unaccounted for.

The proposed Selampit Bridge project, approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) with an estimated cost of RM27.93 million, has yet to commence despite its approval.

Mordi, currently in Denmark on official duties, has voiced his frustration over no sign of the project commencement to date.

“I have consistently raised these projects in Parliament, but delays continue due to protracted site approval processes by the Sarawak Planning Unit (SPA). Since 2018, the project has resubmitted site approval applications four times, yet the process remains inordinately slow,” he said in a post shared on his social media.

Mordi also disclosed that the project, which received SPA approval on Sept 27, 2022, now requires an additional RM14.1 million due to changes in alignment, location adjustments, and rising construction costs. This raises the total project cost to RM42.03 million.

“If the bridge project had commenced as planned, today’s tragedy might have been avoided.

“I am deeply concerned that further delays will only escalate the project’s costs. How much longer must the communities around Sungai Kayan endure these hardships?” he asked.

Police and Bomba teams embarking on a SAR operation for three students after a boat had reportedly capsized on Sungai Kayan on Aug 20, 2024.

He stressed that this issue transcends politics and is fundamentally about public safety and the well-being of the local community.

Meanwhile, the search and rescue (SAR) operation continues for three missing students from SMK Senibong, who were aboard the boat that sank in Sungai Kayan, Kampung Selampit, Lundu, around 6.10am today.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak reported that the boat, carrying about 20 passengers, including 18 students, resulted in 15 students, one adult female, and the boat’s operator being rescued.

The ongoing search involved multiple agencies, including police, K9 Unit, Civil Defence Force (APM), Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), and local villagers. — DayakDaily