KUCHING: Cable thieves have struck the newly-opened RM365.74mil Sejingkat Bridge, stealing electrical cables and damaging electrical system components that light up the bridge.
The 1,281-meter, four-lane dual-carriageway cable-stayed bridge over the Sarawak River at Sejingkat links the Sejingkat industrial sector, about 18km from the city, to Tanjung Bako in Samarahan.
It was opened to traffic only three weeks ago on Oct 5.
The theft has prompted the Public Works Department (JKR) to seek public cooperation by reporting to the authorities if they witness any suspicious activities, particularly involving cables, electrical equipment or public facilities in the vicinity of the bridge.
In a strongly worded statement condemning the theft, JKR stated it viewed seriously such acts of vandalism as it not only caused damage to government assets, but also has the potential to “compromise the functionality of the electrical system, the safety of road users and the smooth operation of the infrastructure facility concerned”.
The department therefore warned members of the public not to approach, touch, handle exposed or damaged electrical cables and equipment, as they posed severe safety risks.
The Sejingkat Bridge is part of the Second Kuching–Samarahan Trunk Road and Sarawak Coastal Road Network.
