Woman Says Sungai Korok Tragedy Reawakens Pain Of Losing Brother At Same Spot

ALOR SETAR, July 8 (Bernama) -- For Ramsuriani Ramli, the Sungai Korok tragedy that claimed the lives of six people yesterday has reawakened a pain buried deep in her soul. 

The 43-year-old woman said she could never forget the painful memory of the tragedy that claimed the life of her brother, Ramsunardi Ramli, on Jalan Sungai Korok nine years ago.

"For me, it's not just the driver's fault; the dark road is also in poor condition and lacks safety features. My brother's car skidded into the river.

"He was driving alone at the time. I lost the only brother who was the pillar of strength for our family after our father had long passed away," she told Bernama.

Ramsuriani's brother, who was then 42 years old and an employee of Tabung Haji (TH) in Sungai Petani, drowned after his car plunged into the river in Kampung Alor Biak along Jalan Sungai Korok near Jitra in 2016.

She said it was high time for the authorities to take action to prevent another repeat of the heartbreaking tragedy that this time befell the family of six, comprising Mohamad Azim Izat Ishak, 32, Nurul Hidayah Khadijah Razman Efendi, 31, and their children Putra Rayyan Nur Izzat, 9, Hawa Adriana Nur Izzat, 8, Annayla Humaira Nur Izzat, 7, and Tuah Haydar, 6 months. 

"Proper and bright street lighting should have been built with sturdy road barriers placed along the riverbank to reduce the risk of drowning in the event of an accident," she said.

A civil servant, Muhamad Sofi Shamsudin, 34, from Ayer Hitam, Jerlun, said that apart from the lack of barriers, Jalan Sungai Korok is narrow and riddled with potholes and bumpy patches.

"As a regular traveller on this road, I truly hope the government will repair it since this road is also often used by heavy vehicles," he said.

Muhamad Sofi added that the road is indeed vital to the local community as it is the main route to Jitra and Alor Setar.

"There have already been many accidents before this. My friend's father had a bad accident because of potholes in a tarred road and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit," he said.

Meanwhile, Osman Saad, 44, from Ayer Hitam, also hopes that the government will act immediately to install guardrails along the riverbank and install street lights.

"The road is long, so safety features are necessary. After this case of the six-person drowning tragedy, I feel a sense of dread when I am on that road.

"I feel uneasy, especially at night, I am worried sick about my safety and that of my family who use the road," he added.

-- BERNAMA