KOTA KINABALU: The state government has replaced six motorcycles to the youths whose “motorcycle trolleys” were destroyed in the March 3 runaway train incident.
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State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar delivered the motorcycles on Saturday (March 7) on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as a gesture of concern for rural communities facing transportation difficulties in the Kg Pangi area of Tenom.
The assistance helps youths continue their daily lives and earn a living despite living in hard-to-access areas.
"Today, we are handing over six motorcycles to six youths involved in the train brake failure incident between Tenom and Pangi four days ago.
"The Chief Minister conveyed this contribution through me. It shows his concern for the plight of rural communities,” he said after the handover ceremony in Tenom.
The local youths who received the motorcycles were named as Sarudi Siden, Julintoh Landan, Lewi Rani, Mike Yulon, Leinto Landan, and Tunih Rani.
Jamawi, who is Melalap assemblyman, noted that the route between Kampung Pangi and Tenom town is often disrupted, especially during the rainy season, making travel difficult. In some cases, residents have to walk up to six hours to reach Tenom if the route is unusable.
He said the state government has directed the Sabah Public Works Department to expedite construction of a 9.2km road linking Tenom and Kampung Pangi.
Rail services from Tenom end at Kg Pangi station, motorcycles fitted with modified trolleys with train wheels are used to ferry villagers living beyond Kg Pangi along the hilly terrain.
The motorcycle trolleys along the rail helped slow down the train carrying over a dozen people including 12 teachers of a primary school (SK Pangi), allowing the train driver to bring it to a halt following a brake failure.
The Sabah Railway Department has formed a board of inquiry to investigate the incident.
