SATISFYING: Goh (right) and Alah (second right) posing for a picture with village folk in front of the hanging bridge.
MIRI: The Penans of Long Belok have successfully reconstructed a 300-foot-long suspension bridge across Apoh River which links their village to the main road.
An email from Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) co-ordinator Jok Jau Evong stated that the bridge served as an important link for the 350 villagers.
“The bridge is one of the main routes for the folk to travel to nearby towns to sell their harvests and produce, to visit their relatives, as well as to receive visitors.”
He added that reconstruction of the broken bridge was made possible through funding from private companies.
Meanwhile, Long Belok headman Alah Beling said the bridge was previously built by Syarikat Maligong Enterprise in December 2010.
However, it only lasted for two months as it was hanging too low and was destroyed by strong currents.
Deputy headman and Sarawak Penan Association chairman Goh Kui Lee said reconstruction of the bridge only took 10 days, from Jan 20 to 30.
“We are now very happy that this bridge was built through our sheer hard work and with the help of private companies. This bridge has been reconstructed to last.