By Allan Jay & Nur Ashikin Louis
SEBUYAU: In view of the recent tragedy involving a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle that fell into the Batang Lupar and caused nine fatalities, the public appealed to the Sarawak government to implement measures to ensure the safety of other ferry users.
The incident occurred around 3pm when the 4WD fell off the ferry ramp and plunged into the river. A four-month-old baby, three children and five others were pronounced dead after they were pulled out from the vehicle.
Following the tragedy, New Sarawak Tribune was able to go to the ground and gather the community’s thoughts on what is needed to ensure other ferry users’ safety.
Julia Ahmad
The boom barrier at ferry points should be used to stop any vehicles who fail to abide by the instructions set. When the ferry has reached its capacity, the ferry operator should give a signal to indicate that the capacity is reached and only then, the boom barrier is put down.
Sabtuyah Abu Bakar
The Sarawak government should employ more ferry staff especially guards for both on board the ferry and on shore because they will be the ones who will be looking after the people on the ferry and those waiting for their turn on shore.
Wan Ismail Wan Yahya
There should be uniformed guards stationed at the ferry points to monitor and facilitate the traffic flow boarding and disembarking the ferry. There are guards there but the people fail to recognise them as some of them are not in uniform.
Madrine Gandeng
If the previous Pakatan Harapan government did not cancel the Batang Lupar bridge project, this would not have happened. I hope the Sarawak government, who has taken the burden to bear the cost of the project, would speed up the project.
