PULAU BRUIT (Sarawak): The tragic incident of a longboat that capsized in the Batang Lassa estuary near here seven years ago, killing 11 people, not only stunned the nation but also highlighted the issue of poor access roads on the island, which is about two hours' ride by land and ferry from Sibu town.

Fast forward to today and many changes have taken place in Pulau Bruit, an island with a population of nearly 12,000 people, covering 11 villages, including the Jingga Longhouse in Sungai Kelai.

"There are paved roads connecting all the villages. Now, we only need an entrance to the village from the main road so that our vehicles can be parked in front of our homes," said Kampung Penipah chief Hadery Teras when met recently.

Datuk Abdullah Saidol, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) incumbent for the Semop state seat, said 80 per cent of the Rural Transformation Programme allocation for the constituency had been spent on building the village roads, including on the island.

Currently, only one road in Pulau Bruit has not been paved yet.

"That is a 10km rocky farm road that connects the north and south of Pulau Bruit, where an allocation of RM7.2 million has already been approved and work on the road is set to begin soon," he said.

Pulau Bruit is currently connected to the surrounding mainland and towns by two ferry points, namely the Muara Lassa Ferry Terminal in the east to go to Daro and, on the south, the Batang Paloh Ferry Terminal to go to Sibu town and Tanjung Manis.

When the RM298.9 million 1.7 km-long Batang Paloh Bridge across Sungai Batang Paloh and RM597.5 million 2.43 km-long Muara Lassa Bridge are completed, residents there will surely be able to market their agriculture produce on the mainland without having to go through the middlemen.

Both these bridges, which are expected to be ready in 2023, are part of the Sarawak coastal road construction project that is fully funded by the state government.

Longhouse chief Jingga Igun said residents of the only Iban longhouse, which has 47 units, are also actively cultivating about two hectares of pineapple plantation. However, at times, they still face road and transport problems which limit the sale of their crops on the mainland.

Daro District leader Bujang Razali , who is also a resident of Kampung Bruit, said that one of the villagers' hopes now was to see the government immediately resolve the water problems affecting three villages, namely Kampung Penipah, Kampung Bruit and Kampung Tekajong.

"The village chief has been briefed and understands that the water problem here is due to the very low water pressure because the water supply comes from elsewhere, not from Pulau Bruit itself, and we hope this can be resolved immediately," he said.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had previously said that the island's water problem could be solved when the two bridges are completed as they would enable pipes to be installed to channel water from Tanjung Manis straight to Pulau Bruit.

At the 12th Sarawak election on Saturday (Dec 18), Abdullah, who is defending the Semop seat for a third term, will be challenged by Jenny Wong Khing Ling of Parti Bersatu Kenyalang (PBK), Abdul Raafidin Majidi of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Mohamad Fadillah Sabali of Amanah and Mohd Adenan Zulkepli (Independent).

-- BERNAMA