The Selampit Bridge controversy

It was a mere two weeks ago when three SMK Senibong students lost their lives after the boat they were in capsized while crossing the Kayan River from Kampung Selampit in Lundu District.

Following this heart-wrenching tragedy, there have been renewed calls to expedite the construction of a bridge connecting the village to the main road.

The proposed bridge has since become the focus of intense debate, and has drawn significant public interest, giving rise to a wave of comments, reflecting the community’s deep concern and the need for swift action.

On that ill-fated day on Aug 20, a total of 12 students from SMK Senibong were on board the boat, along with a local woman and the male boat operator.

Three students — Alsma Jithil, 14, Helena Fasha Petrus, 14, and Vilkie Wilson, 15 — were tragically swept away by the strong current and later found dead.

The tragedy struck at 6.10 am when the students were on their way to school. Crossing the river by boat was a routine part of their daily journey.

It was reported that boats are the only mode of transportation for these students to get to school, as their village is located on the other side of the river.

While there is an alternative road, it is too far. The boat operator has been providing this crucial service to students for many years.

It took the Search and Rescue (SAR) team three days to recover the bodies of the three students. Vilkie’s body was the first to be found, spotted about 10 metres from the SAR control post, followed by Alsma’s the next day, approximately one kilometre away.

The body of the last victim was discovered on Aug 22, about 100 meters from the spot where the boat capsized. All three teenage victims were laid to rest at Kampung Selampit Cemetery on Aug 23.

After the tragedy occurred, many netizens and some politicians, especially those from the opposing camp, blamed the absence of a bridge for it. It’s perplexing how such a conclusion was reached, especially considering that many believe that death is ultimately beyond human control.

The sad part is that these individuals, including politicians, were quick to capitalise on the tragedy, blaming specific people, authorities, and the government for the delay in constructing a bridge at the location.

This occurred while the SAR team was still struggling to locate the victims and their families were anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.

This behaviour is truly unbecoming as it can overshadow the real issues and detract from the focus on resolving the situation and supporting those affected.

Regardless of their intention, it seems more likely that they are eager to seize the opportunity for political gain from the tragedy. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s how I see it.

Rightfully, the blame game, even if justified, should take a back seat. Priority should be on the search and rescue efforts and improving safety for the students who still make the daily trip to school. They should also remember to accord respect to the victims’ families until the situation is fully resolved.

The worst part of this situation is that they were quick to voice opinions and pass judgment without fully understanding the facts.

The Selampit bridge controversy has highlighted how easily misinformation can spread when people speak without knowing the full story. Infrastructure projects like this are complex and involve many factors that aren’t always obvious.

Unfortunately, this lack of understanding has led to speculation, confusion, and unfair criticism. Politicians, in particular, have a responsibility to ensure their statements are accurate.

When they comment without full knowledge, they risk misleading the public and fostering a climate of distrust.

The public, too, must be cautious. With the rise of social media, it’s easy to share opinions without checking the facts.

We should all take the time to understand an issue before speaking out, ensuring that our contributions to the discussion are thoughtful and informed.

Some opposition politicians have alleged that the construction of the Selampit bridge had been deliberately delayed. Opar assemblyman, Billy Sujang, denied it saying the truth is that the project has been redesigned.

He admitted that the bridge’s construction was approved in 2017. It, however, was not implemented after the villagers did not approve the two original sites proposed for its construction, hence, it need to be redesigned.

“We are aware that the bridge’s construction was approved in 2017 but has not yet been implemented. After I became the representative in 2022, I immediately sought updates from the government regarding this project.

“From this, we learned that the original construction site was at the existing jetty area, which was unsuitable as at least eight houses would have to be demolished.

“The villagers, especially those affected, did not agree, prompting us to conduct further studies to move it to another location,” he explained.

Billy also disclosed that the construction of the much-anticipated bridge, with a budget of RM27.94 million, is expected to begin in October after compensation payments are made to the affected landowners.

“The location for the proposed bridge involves land owned by several individuals in the area, requiring compensation payments before construction work can begin.

“We have asked the Public Works Department (PWD) about the compensation and they will make the payments promptly, within September. Therefore, construction work on the bridge can only begin in October.”

This situation highlights a crucial lesson: it’s essential to be informed before making public statements or passing judgment. The Selampit bridge controversy should serve as a reminder to all.

By focusing on informed commentary, we can foster a more constructive and understanding public dialogue, benefiting everyone involved.

Let this episode reminds us that infrastructure projects are complex, and their challenges are not always visible to the casual observer.

Instead of fueling controversy with speculation, we should focus on constructive dialogue, grounded in fact and driven by a genuine desire to understand and contribute positively to our community.

Let the controversy surrounding the Selampit bridge be a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that our words carry weight and that we must wield them wisely.

By prioritising informed commentary over knee-jerk reactions, we can help build a more thoughtful and constructive public discourse, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our society.

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.