Bridge connecting Kg Sekijang and Felda Pemanis in Segamat, collapses

The bridge connecting Kg Sekijang and Felda Pemanis 1 and 2 in Segamat, collapsed on Thursday, cutting off some 4,000 residents from going into the Segamat town.

The bridge, built in 2002, served as the main route for the villagers, especially those who want to send over their agricultural products.

With the bridge collapsed now, the residents are forced to take an alternative road, of about 40 kilometres, to get to Segamat.

Segamat district officer A.Rahim Nin said, the continuous heavy rain since last Saturday brought strong currents which had caused erosion to the river bank, resulting in the eight-metre long bridge to be collapsed on Monday.

He said the matter has been discussed with the district’s Irrigation and Drainage Department and the local state assemblyman.

“In our discussion with the department, they told us that the bridge can no longer be repaired because of its original structure and when erosion happens, we need to build a new structure. We need about RM500,000 for the new bridge,” he said when met at his office, Thursday.

Meanwhile, the local residents expressed their hopes that the government will provide a temporary bridge for them.

Earlier, Rahim said out of the 24 flood relief centres opened since last week, a total of 13 have been closed.

He added that a total of 511 victims from 127 families are still in the centres.