Stranded Orang Asli Friends Build Bamboo Raft To Cross Sungai Peralong With Food Supplies, Motorcycles

GUA MUSANG, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Orang Asli residents stranded at the Sungai Peralong bridge here took the initiative to build a bamboo raft to ferry their motorcycles across the river, as the temporary bridge at the location remains submerged since the day before yesterday.

Pos Simpor Orang Asli Village Security and Development Committee (JPKKOA) Chairman, Jamil Jabon, said the decision was made after they were stranded at the Kuala Betis Resettlement Scheme (RPS) while bringing back monsoon season food supplies that were bought in Gua Musang town.

"The eight friends agreed to work together to find bamboo in the nearby jungle and build a raft to carry six motorcycles across Sungai Peralong, taking turns.

"The residents had to take the risk of crossing the river because they needed to bring the food supplies back to their families in Kampung Gawin, Pos Gob," he told reporters today.

According to Jamil, he and his wife also had to turn back towards Pos Simpor after traveling 45 kilometers, only to be stranded at the temporary bridge which was still under water.

"My wife and I had to abandon our intention to buy kitchen essentials and dry food because we did not dare to cross over to the other side," he said.

He added that the residents of Pos Simpor are also currently facing an issue of electricity supply cut-off since last Sunday, but maintenance work cannot be carried out yet because the main route to the area is still inaccessible.

"Right now, all of us in the village are relying on generators for electricity. The fuel for these generators can only last for another two days," he said.

Meanwhile, Nenggiri State Assemblyman (ADUN), Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, said his office had received reports from the residents' representative regarding the problem.

"This matter is being acted upon by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and the maintenance team will head to the affected location as soon as the route becomes accessible," he said.

-- BERNAMA