KUCHING: Mas Gading member of parliament Mordi Bimol has called on the government to speed up the construction of the Selampit bridge in Lundu district which was approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) but has yet to start.
He said the tragedy that involved the capsize of a boat ferrying students in Sungai Kayan this morning could have been avoided if the bridge had been completed.
In a statement, he said as an elected representative, he has repeatedly raised this issue in Parliament, but unfortunately, it has continued to be delayed.
He said the project has received State Planning Authority (SPA) approval on Sept 27, 2022, with the original construction cost of RM27.93 million now being insufficient.
He said an additional cost of RM14.1 million is required, pushing the total cost now to RM42.03 million.
"The increase in cost is due to changes in the alignment and location of the project as well as an increase in construction costs.
"I am concerned that if this delay continues, the cost of this project will continue to increase, and more importantly, the lives and safety of residents will continue to be threatened," Mordi said.
He called on the federal and state governments, SPA, state Public Works Department and other relevant authorities not to delay the construction of the Selampit bridge any longer, nor the the Kendaie/Selampit road projects.
"How long will the people in the villages around Sungai Batang Kayan have to wait? How many more victims need to die?"
Mordi said he was saddened by the tragic incident which occurred around 6.30am.
The incident saw a mining boat carrying 16 residents of Kampung Selampit, including the boat operator capsize, throwing all the victims into the river.
Mordi, who is currently in Denmark on official business, said 13 victims have been rescued while three others who were students who were on their way to school have yet to be found.
He praised the Fire and Rescue Department, including the K9 dog service, police, Civil Defence Department, Health Ministry, Lundu district education office and the villagers who are working hard to rescue the missing students.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department, in a statement, said the search and rescue operation has yet to locate the three missing students, identified as Alsma Jithil, 14, Helena Fasha Petrus, 17, and Vilkie Wilson, 15.
They are the students of SMK Senibong, Lundu.
The boat driver was among those who managed to swim to safety.