Zahid: RM400,000 allocated to repair collapsed jetty in Semporna

KOTA KINABALU: An immediate allocation of RM400,000 has been approved to repair a village jetty which collapsed at Pulau Pababag, Semporna.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he has instructed the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to contact the Semporna district office to investigate this matter and to take action.

He said this was needed as the bridge connected students to their schools and for villagers to carry out their daily activities.

"The ministry has handed over the implementation order letter to the Semporna district office for the immediate repair of this bridge and jetty with an approved allocation of RM400,000," he said in a statement Thursday (Feb 2).

Ahmad Zahid said prior to the incident on Jan 30, he was on a visit to Pitas to check on the flood situation and was informed about the collapsed jetty and bridge while on duty.

"I was told that there were 35 pupils and two teachers from the villages nearby and they were heading to SK Pababag at around 6.20am when the incident happened," he said.

"I hope the repair on this bridge and jetty can be done quickly as there are about 151 students and 35 kindergarten teachers as well as villagers who need to use the facilities," he said.

In the jetty collapse incident, two pupils were lightly injured while the rest were hauled up to safety by teachers and villagers.