KOTA KINABALU: Some 200 people were stranded when the only bridge linking their village to the main road collapsed due to strong river currents and clogged debris at Kg Kaiduan in Papar.
A resident, Micheal Frederick, mentioned that when heavy rains started over the past few days, they observed some erosion and damage gradually appearing on the low-level crossing bridge and riverbank.
“At 9pm Saturday (Sept 13), the bridge collapsed,” he said when contacted on Sunday (Sept 14).
He said the low-level crossing bridge, which was new and nearing completion, connected Kg Kaiduan and Kg Bisuang to Kinarut town and Kota Kinabalu.
“So now, we are stranded because there are no alternative routes that we know of here,” he said, adding there were safety concerns among other worries due to this incident.
"What if we need to evacuate? Buy food or seek medical attention?" he asked.
This bridge and Kg Kaiduan were Papar MP Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali’s kampung angkat Madani (Madani adopted village).
An official representing Armizan said they are still away in another district on official duties and would return to Kota Kinabalu to discuss repair and solution plans for the people there.
Sabah Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya stated that this bridge is not under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department.
