Jeffrey (centre) handing over assistance to flood victims from five villages.
KENINGAU: Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has called on the government to assist the flood victims affected by the flood in five villages in Apin-Apin here.
He said they were asking to be given similar assistance as other flood victims in this district.
“Their villages are also facing the same problems when the flood hit their villages as agricultural yields were destroyed, public facilities cut off and their houses submerged by flood waters,” he told The Borneo Post after handing over assistance to 27 flood victims from five villages at Kampung Sungoi multi-purpose hall in Apin-Apin here yesterday.
The villages that were badly affected by the overflowing Pegalan river were Kampung Sungoi, Kapayan Lama, Gasabon, Kapayan Baru and Apin-Apin.
Jeffrey said this was not the first time the flood had occurred here. The villagers are hoping the state and federal governments would find the best solution to overcome this perennial problem.
At the same time, the State STAR chairman urged the government to immediately repair the iron bridge on the upper section of the present concrete bridge as an alternative passage for the people in three villages following the collapse of Kampung Gasabon road by the river bank erosion during the flood recently.
“I believe the old bridge used previously by logging companies can be the alternative route for the people of Kampung Gasabon, Pangas Laut and Sebrang, who are now stranded, following the collapse of the road nearly 100 metres from the main road junction.
“To me, to re-build the road in a short period is virtually impossible and would take time besides using millions of Ringgit of allocation, while the villagers would need a passage going to town, office and students a safe passage going to school at SK Pangas Ulu,” he said.
Jeffrey learnt that the old bridge is still safe for use and only needed for its damaged floor surface to be extensively repaired.
He said with the repairing of the old bridge, the people can use it as an alternative passage while waiting for the collapsed road to be re-constructed.
Jeffrey is also worried that the collapsed road, if no immediate action is taken by the authority concerned, could cause the collapse of the concrete bridge, affect the water intake and also Kampung Sungoi if another big flood were to happen again.
“I foresee the river bank will collapse if the Pegalan river overflows its bank again. Therefore, immediate action to repair the collapsed road should be taken. I am also asking the government to re-build the badly damaged suspension bridge at Kampung Kapayan Baru and at the same time, repair the river banks along the village as it could threaten several houses, including public facilities, that are located just several metres from the river bank,” he said.
Jeffrey, while appreciating the state and Federal government’s efforts in handling the flood victims in this district, said more needed to be done holistically as the the people affected by the flood recently in Bingkor area also faced immeasurable properties damage.
He said many people in the five villages in Apin-Apin area and other villages such as Tigot, Baginda, Kota Ayangan and Toboh Laut had lost their paddy fields besides their houses being submerged in water and all valuable items and belongings in their houses were lost.
“I have asked the government to assess the loss of the people’s damaged properties besides the public utilities in the village in Bingkor area affected by the flood recently,” he said.