VILLAGERS COME TOGETHER TO REPAIR ROAD AND BRIDGE

By MOHD KHAIRY ABDULLAH

Villagers repairing the road

KENINGAU(Sabah, Malaysia): Villagers in Kg. Pohon Batu and Binanon here have come together to repair damages on their main access road and bridge, which were affected during a flash flood earlier this week.

   The have come together in an effort to reduce dependency on government aid, after the flood incident affected some teachers who were about to return  to their respective homes for the holidays.

   A teachers at SK Pohon Batu, Juanis Sandiang , said villagers have displayed good cooperation during the two-day ‘gotong royong’, which also gave them an opportunity to display their skills.

   “The work has been tiring but brought relief to all road users,” he said.

   The road is frequented by locals and teachers from the villages to reach Keningau town, especially teachers and farmers who wanted to sell their produce in Keningau and Nabawan, after it was left by logging firm.

   The road is exposed to risks like landslides and mud, during the rainy season.

   “The spirit of not being too dependent on the government has become a strong practice among the people here, we have succeeded to solve the problem,” Juanis said.

   Kg. Pohon Batu and Binanon are located about 50km from the Pensiangan forest, which is a remote area populated by the Murut.