KUCHING: Kedup assemblyman Frederick Bayoi said he has requested the Serian District Public Works engineer to seek funds from the government for repairing Jalan Terbat in Tebakang.

The road, connecting seven villages in his constituency, is now in poor condition after it was damaged by the recent floods and heavy rains, Bayoi told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He pointed out that to get the funds for road repair faster they should apply under the category of ‘Roads damaged by flood’.

Since the government has already allocated millions of ringgit to remedy situations linked to problems caused by the flood, he might as well try to apply for the fund under such category, said Bayoi who is also walikota Samarahan.

He said he empathised with his constituents but expressed regrets that Jalan Terbat was not yet tar-sealed due to delay in getting allocation from the federal government.

He said proposals were made several years ago to get the road upgraded as well as get it maintained from time to time, especially when its poor condition was aggravated by two floods and heavy rains recently.

“I am concerned about the poor state of the road. But since the allocation of about RM10 million for the upgrading of the road has been delayed, I will try to get some immediate fund under the category of ‘Roads damaged by flood’.

“I have spoken to the Serian District engineer Wisil Lichok about it. He will then write to the Serian Disaster Relief Committee about our request,” he said.

He said he might also have to raise the issue in the next State Legislative Assembly sitting, probably in May, on the delay in getting the allocation for the upgrading of the 8km Jalan Terbat.

He said his constituents should also channel their complaints directly to the Public Works Department (JKR) if roads and bridges are damaged by flood; to the Agriculture Department if their crops are destroyed by flood and the Welfare Department if they need immediate assistance following natural disasters.

The Borneo Post yesterday reported that Jalan Terbat, the only gravel road linking six villages and two primary schools with the main road, Jalan Mongkos, is in dire need of repair.

The affected villages – Kpg Tragu, Kpg Mapu Kijabu, Kpg Mapu Sadong, Kpg Daha Kisau, Kpg Daha Seroban and Kpg Daha Mawang – are about 30km from Serian town. Complaints have been made to JKR by the headman of Kpg Mapu Kijabu but nothing concrete has been done.

“They did come to have a look and that was it,” said a villager. A landslide that occurred during the recent heavy rains has bought down a tree beside the road, he said. At Kpg Mapu Sadong junction, the road becomes muddy and slippery when it rain causing traffic jam every morning.

Along a number of sections, one lane of the road remains after the other half slid down the slope. It is only a matter of time (another heavy rainfall perhaps) before the road become totally useless.

The villagers are frustrated by the delay in getting the road usable again and some have expressed concern that the road may become a public danger.