Village in Sabah needs bridge of change

According to its Branch Chief, Edmond Wong the purpose of having an open house is to bring the joy and good news to the people here during these festive seasons.

Kiulu is a mountainous area and Kg Rangalau Lama sits in a valley along the Kiulu river.

There is a road leading to the village but the damaged bridge has given the hanging bridge a more prominent role now. It appears that the hanging bridge here could easily be the longest in Sabah at more than a hundred metres.

The river is famous for white water rafting. Sabah’s first Chief Minister, the late Tun Fuad Stephen was Assemblyman for Kiulu.

There are about 250 inhabitants living in the village which has a Church, Surau and a primary school. The folks are mostly farmers and rubber tappers.

A mention of the bridge could easily arouse their anger towards the government. They have waited for a long time and there is no sign that the hanging death trap will ever be repaired.

This displeasure is understandable as it is causing serious inconvenience especially when the villagers have to carry heavy agricultural products across the hanging bridge.

The older folks are concerned about their long pending land applications. They are afraid that their children and grandchildren will be landless in the long run.

Grouses about the lack of consideration for the villagers is turning towards the government. 

At a gathering held recently, the villagers were briefed about the socio-economic transformation in Pakatan Rakyat states of Selangor and Penang in less three years after assuming power. They were assured that the same can happen in Sabah if it is under Pakatan Rakyat’s ruling.

Among the DAP leaders present were DAP State Vice Chairman Peter Liew, Secretary Dr Edwin Bosi, Organising Secretary Jeffrey Kumin, State Committee member Franky Lobinjang and Science and Technology Bureau Chief Dr Joseph Lee.