04/01/2026

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday JAN 4, 2026

Old bridge to be replaced

KUALA KRAI: After more than two decades of relying on a dilapidated and hazardous route, the hope of more than 50 residents at Kampung Chatel Damai in Lata Rek to have a safe suspension bridge is finally set to become a reality. The announcement was met with relief and gratitude after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ordered that allocations be provided immediately to replace the suspension bridge that collapsed last Thursday, disrupting the daily access route of villagers. Resident Wan Syukri Wan Isa, 53, said the new suspension bridge has been long anticipated as it serves as the main route for him and several other residents to carry out daily activities such as commuting to work and purchasing basic necessities, as the path is only accessible to motorcycles and pedestrians. “I see the prime minister’s announcement as a special gift for us villagers in conjunction with the new year, and I hope the project can be expedited,” he told Bernama at Kampung Chatel Damai. Recounting the incident, Wan Syukri said the suspension bridge collapsed at about 2pm last Thursday while he was hosting a wedding reception for his second daughter.

Residents welcome long-awaited solution to safety concerns after PM directive “I was shocked to learn that more than 20 guests who were crossing the bridge fell into the river. The situation was tense, especially as some of them had brought children. I was worried something worse might happen. I understand some sustained injuries, but they received treatment at a nearby hospital and clinic,” he said. Another resident, Muhammad Deraman, 63, said villagers had worked together to carry out temporary repairs to the bridge to allow limited use of the route. “Several villagers and I repaired and tightened the suspension cables to make it easier for residents to cross, although it is still not ideal or safe. They have to be cautious as it is only a temporary

solution rather than having to cross the fast-flowing river,” he said. Meanwhile, Kampung Lata Rek Federal Village Security Development Committee chairman Mohd Zamri Mohd Nor, 60, said residents from five houses in the area had long depended on the old and unsafe route, which posed risks to their safety. “In Kampung Lata Rek, there are two ageing bridges frequently used by villagers. One is the Jelekis suspension bridge, built in 1994, which serves more than 50 houses. The other is the Chatel Damai suspension bridge, built in 2002, which serves five houses. “When the prime minister ordered the replacement of the Chatel Damai suspension bridge, we were deeply grateful. We also hope the government would repair the dilapidated Jelekis suspension bridge,” he added. A Bernama survey found that although the Chatel Damai suspension bridge can be used again following repairs carried out through gotong-royong , its structure remains unstable and

A resident navigating the bridge after temporary repairs were carried out to allow limited use of the route. – BERNAMAPIC

her child, who is sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination this year, to purchase school essentials such as reference books. “My husband and I are unemployed, so this aid is helpful. It is not about the amount, but it certainly lightens the load for us as we depend entirely on our two working children.” On Dec 7, the electrical distribution board room at Block C in Pangsapuri Seri Perantau caught fire due to poor maintenance, damaging the building’s wiring system and affecting about 600 residents from 128 units. – Bernama which resulted in injuries and disrupted daily access for residents in Kampung Pasir Jering, Dusun Ban, Dusun Bunut and Kampung Batu Pagar. Earlier, the Kelantan government expressed appreciation to Anwar for the directive to replace the collapsed bridge in Lata Rek, Kuala Krai, citing safety and convenience for residents.

saying the assistance helped ease the burden of parents still dealing with the aftermath of the fire. “Since the fire early last month, I have been staying with my in-laws in Banting. I work in Klang and need to send my children to a childcare centre, so the daily travel costs have put a real strain on our finances. “The aid for my two children in Year 1 and Year 2 not only eases the burden on my husband and me, but also allows many parents to breathe easier as it helps us buy new school uniforms,” she said. Homemaker Samsiah Mohamad, 49, also expressed her gratitude, saying the assistance would help poses safety risks to users. The condition of the bridge floor and supporting cables is weak, forcing residents, especially pedestrians, to cross with caution while awaiting the construction of the new bridge. On Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Office announced in a statement that Anwar had ordered immediate allocations to replace the collapsed suspension bridge,

Aid for students preparing for new school term PORT KLANG: A total of 100 students from the asnaf and B40 groups at Block C in Pangsapuri Seri Perantau were delighted to receive school supplies under Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) Ceria ke Sekolah (CKS) 2026 programme. development, education and the wellbeing of underprivileged communities. emphasis on education and human capital growth. He added that since 2013, the CKS programme has benefitted over 86,000 families with funding exceeding RM13.7 million, adding that in 2026, TNB aims to assist over 10,000 B40 students nationwide through the initiative.

“We believe education is the most valuable social investment as children who start school fully equipped gain confidence and motivation to learn,” he said during the handover ceremony on Thursday. State Housing and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah was also present. Shamsul said TNB, as a national utility company, goes beyond supplying reliable electricity and actively supports national development through continued

TNB regulatory and stakeholder management chief Datuk Shamsul Ahmad said the RM10,000 corporate social responsibility initiative aimed to ease the financial burden of parents ahead of the new school term, which begins in about two weeks. “This programme is more than just handing out aid. It reflects TNB’s commitment to social

“TNB is pleased to support residents of Block C in Pangsapuri Seri Perantau who were affected by an electrical distribution board room fire in early December,” he said. Meanwhile, Nurul Fatin Anuwar, 31, whose children received aid at the event, welcomed TNB’s efforts,

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

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