SIBU: Improving infrastructure standards and safeguarding the safety of the people have always remained among the highest priorities for Bawang Assan assemblyman, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, over the years.
On Wednesday (May 6), under the scorching sun, Wong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party’s (PDP) Senior Vice-President, personally visited the road section near Trinity Church in Paradom South Village to inspect the completed road reinforcement and safety barrier project.
Also present during the inspection were PDP Paradom Service committee chairman Ting Feng Hua, Kapitan Ling Nai Wu, Kapitan Hii Ching Ju, as well as several local community leaders, as they jointly witnessed the completion of this vital project concerning public safety.
Previously, according to Wong, this stretch of road had suffered severe subsidence and collapse due to unstable soil conditions and prolonged rainwater erosion.
He said the damage not only weakened the road structure and posed serious dangers to motorists and other road users, but also left residents feeling anxious and unsafe, especially during rainy weather and at night, prompting extensive improvement works to permanently resolve the issue.
He said the works included strengthening the road foundation and placing large boulders to improve load-bearing capacity and overall stability, while protective guardrails and wire fencing were installed along the roadside to prevent vehicles from veering off the road and enhance safety for residents travelling through the area.
After inspecting the project near Trinity Church, Wong proceeded to the rear section of South Village to examine a long-neglected wooden bridge which had become unusable due to severe deterioration, with parts of its ageing wooden structure rotting and collapsing.
“Faced with such a critical public infrastructure issue, we decided against temporary patchwork repairs and instead adopted a more practical and durable solution by replacing it entirely with a culvert system,” Wong said.
He explained that a culvert is a pipe or box-shaped structure installed beneath the road to allow water to flow safely underneath. Compared to old wooden bridges that are prone to decay and have limited load-bearing capacity, culverts are more durable and structurally stable, making them better suited to support frequent use by heavy agricultural vehicles.
“More importantly, during heavy rainfall, the culvert system ensures smooth water discharge beneath the roadway, preventing water accumulation and reducing the risk of future erosion and road collapse,” he added.
Wong said the culvert replacement approach not only resolves immediate accessibility issues and reduces long-term maintenance costs, but also reflects his commitment to community safety through practical infrastructure improvements such as reinforcing damaged roads and replacing unsafe wooden bridges.
“I firmly believe that only by going deep into the grassroots can we truly understand the challenges faced by the people.
“In the days ahead, I will continue leading my service team in closely monitoring every infrastructure issue within the constituency, ensuring that every resource is fully utilised for the benefit of the people and that Paradom’s infrastructure development continues progressing towards a safer, higher-quality future,” he added.
