Tutong - A Borneo Bulletin reader has expressed concern in regards to the road of Jalan Raya Kampong Panchong in Tutong, highlighting that it has been damaged to the point of not only being inconvenient, but even dangerous.

This complaint was put forward by a reader who wishes to remain anonymous, in the form of a letter which highlights that the road has been worn out significantly by trucks carrying stones and timber to a new dam in Ulu Binutan.

As a result, the complainant said that small vehicles are unable to use the road, and in the meantime, drivers have had to make use of an alternative road at Kampong Rambai, which adds on an additional half an hour of travel time, creating a significant inconvenience.

It is mentioned in the letter that this issue has been reported by the Village Head to the relevant authorities; however the response has been that "it has been taken note of".

In the same letter, the complainant also shared a story on what has resulted from the damage done to the road, saying, "Complaints about the damage were already made in 2012 but no action was taken".

"In 2012, there was an event in Kampong Panchong, in which one of the village residents died in an ambulance because the vehicle was not able to get into the village, as the roads were so bad."

"That day the resident was very ill and needed to be taken to hospital quickly The deceased's family called the ambulance, but the paramedics said that as soon as they arrived in front of the road leading to the village, they were unable to drive the ambulance further because they could not enter as a result of the road being in such bad condition that it could have damaged their vehicle," the letter recounted.

"The family had to drive the ailing resident using their own car to the front of the road leading to the village where the ambulance waited to pick up the resident."

"However, the resident passed away in the ambulance because they were unable to reach the hospital in time. If that road was not damaged, then the life of that resident might have been saved."

The letter also highlights that, despite the number of complaints that have been lodged, the Public Works Department ( JKR) has not repaired the road.

"This complaint was made in 2012 but until now, no action has been taken by JKR," reads the letter.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin