KUCHING: Toll charges of the
Murum Bridge built across the Murum HEP Dam flooded area is highest in the
nation and likely in the world as motorists have to pay RM150 per crossing
which means RM300 per return trip.
The astronomical charges imposed
by a timber concessionaire in the area which built the bridge have raised a
storm of protests among the people in the Murum area and those who work there.
“It’s just ridiculous to pay such
an exorbitant amount to use the Murum Bridge,” Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang
told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
According to sources, the timber
concessionaire which operates in the area had started to charge road users
RM300 for a return trip for using its bridge starting end of July.
Before this, the company was
charging similar amount for using its manually operated ferry across the lake.
“To me that kind of fee is just
too much. How could the locals be able to afford such high charges?” asked
Liwan.
He said the company should not
impose any toll for the usage of the bridge in the first place since it had
benefited from harvesting the timber resources in the area.
“Since the company has been
reaping the timber resources from the area, which also belonged to the people
of Belaga, the company should in return, allow the locals from the whole
district to use the bridge free of charge.
“That area in Murum is also our hinterland
because we have given away our rights for the government to build both the
Bakun and Murum HEP dams. So all those affected by these mega projects should
be allowed to use the bridge as they still need to source for raw materials in
the deep forest for jungle produce which they still depended on,” said Liwan
who is also the Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage.
He further pointed out that since
those who moved to Sg Asap Resettlement Scheme to give way to the Bakun dam
were only given 2.8 acre per family, they should also be given the access to
the forest in Murum.
Liwan said if indeed the charges
were that high, he would bring up the matter during the upcoming Cabinet
meeting.
“It is my duty to assist in
whatever way I could for my people,” added Liwan, who is also PRS Youth chief.
It was also reported that the
Penan resettlers at Metalun were given free access to use the bridge.
However, even the government
would have to apply from the timber concessionaire before they could use the
bridge for free.
Most of those who have to use the
bridge are teachers who taught at SK Metalun, the dam’s contractor and its
workers and SEB staff stationed at the Murum HEP Dam.
Meanwhile, State PWD director
Zuraimi Sabki could not be reached for comment.
Read more:
http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/12/outcry-over-rm150-per-crossing/#ixzz3A8bPUfLC
