A safer Yayasan Jetty for Kg Ayer commuters
By Azlan Othman

Divers removing protruding metal bars, tubes and objects from the river bed at the Yayasan jetty in a cleaning campaign by the Fire Services Department, Yayasan personnel and the Municipal authority. Pic: Hj Mohd Said Arshad

The Yayasan jetty will soon be safer for tourists and Kampong Ayer residents, especially the elderly who use it daily to take the water taxi, with railings to be built by Yayasan Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation.

It was proposed three months ago, said Hj Damit B. Hj Salleh, Commanding Officer of the Marine Fire Station. The tendering process has been announced, said Yayasan staff.

Residents have expressed concern over the slippery jetty which is covered with algae or locally known as 'Gelugut'. Cases include commuters including tourists who have fallen at the slippery jetty.

This was the case during the get-together ceremony last July in which residents from the Brunei/Muara District used the water taxi to be ferried to Menjalin and some had slipped.

A cleaning campaign at the jetty was carried out yesterday by the Fire Services Department, Yayasan personnel and the Municipal authority.

Water taxi operators also expressed their grievance over protruding steel objects next to the jetty which have damaged their boat engine propellers at low tide. Divers from the Fire Services yesterday also removed metal tubing, iron bars and junk from the river bed which were likely deposited during piling of the jetty.

Yayasan, with the assistance of the Fire Services, regularly clean up the jetty to remove algae at the so-called 'J' jetty opposite a fast food restaurant. Fire Services personnel were led by Hj Awg Damit B. Hj Salleh, Commanding Officer of Marine Fire Station.

Yayasan is always concerned over the safety and cleanliness of the foundation's building and its surroundings. As a result of the campaign, the water taxi operators used the alternative jetty 'K' to ferry residents to reach home.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin