KUCHING: A short sloping section of a road in Kampung Duras, 30km (18.75 miles) from this city is causing great concern to the villagers as it is dangerous to motorists and pedestrians.
Habitat for Indigenous and Urban Programme (Hidup) president George Young Si Ricord Jr recently checked on the condition of the road.
“A villager living near the bottom of the sloping Jalan Abad told me that he had seen many accidents there, the most recent one being a Toyota Hilux that veered off while giving way to oncoming traffic,” said George.
George added that he was told that for over 60 years, Jalan Abad, a single-lane two-km road has linked the village to Kuching-Serian Road. It is also a shortcut to Kampung Sungai Duuh, Siburan.
However, he said, the road today is full of potholes and there is no street light.
The residents recounted to George how their pleas to the authorities to get the road repaired and the steep slope made safer have fallen on deaf ears.
“Together with other issues such as poor phone connection in the area, the residents had reported their grouses to their village leaders, but to their disappointment no action had been taken.
“Thus, they approached Hidup to help them highlight their plight to the relevant authorities as they are fearful that it is only a matter of time before someone get killed or badly injured at the steep slope,” said George.
“From what I saw during my visit the road is indeed dangerous and could cause fatal accidents. I cannot understand why the village leadership did not get the relevant authorities to do something about.”
So, on behalf of Kampung Duras, George requested the relevant authorities to act promptly to upgrade the road.
