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Delayed bridge project frustrates residents in Sik, Malaysia
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Energy & Infrastructure

Delayed bridge project frustrates residents in Sik, Malaysia

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Over 1,000 residents in Sik Dalam, Malaysia, face difficulties due to delays in a new 100-meter bridge project.
  • The old bridge was demolished in 2023, forcing residents to use a longer, narrower alternative route, which has led to accidents.
  • The project, initially expected in December 2025, is now delayed until May 2027, impacting local businesses and daily commutes.

More than 1,000 residents in Sik Dalam, Malaysia, are experiencing significant hardship due to the prolonged delay of a new 100-meter bridge project. The old bridge, a crucial link between Sik town and Gulau, was demolished in 2023. Its replacement was initially slated for completion in December 2025, but is now postponed until May 2027.

The delay forces residents from 10 villages to use an alternative route that is approximately five kilometers longer. This route is also narrow and has been the site of fatal accidents. "We are informed that there are issues related to land acquisition in the affected area, even though construction work had started before," said Mansor Ismail, chairman of the Federal Village Development and Security Committee of Kampung Banggol Sik Dalam. He added that construction work on site has been inconsistent.

We are informed that there are issues related to land acquisition in the affected area, even though construction work had started before.

— Mansor IsmailChairman of the Federal Village Development and Security Committee of Kampung Banggol Sik Dalam, explaining the reasons for the delay.

Residents are struggling with longer commutes to school and the mosque. While motorcyclists can use a small bridge built through community efforts, it is frequently damaged and unsafe. "There was no temporary bridge built before the relevant parties demolished the old bridge," Mansor noted, highlighting the negative impact on local businesses, which have seen a severe decline.

There was no temporary bridge built before the relevant parties demolished the old bridge.

— Mansor IsmailMansor Ismail highlighting the lack of temporary infrastructure during the demolition.

Community activist Mohd. Sobri Ramlee expressed frustration after lodging a complaint with the Public Works Department (JKR) in October 2025, only to receive an unsatisfactory explanation about unresolved land acquisition issues. "JKR also could not provide a solid explanation as to why this matter has not been resolved," he said, observing that the site is overgrown with grass, suggesting the project has stalled.

Local business owners are also suffering. Fatimah Syam Ali, a restaurant owner, reported her daily sales have dropped from RM600-RM800 to less than RM200, forcing her to shorten operating hours and even close for a month due to depleted working capital. Muhd. Nuzaihan Baharom, who runs a hardware store, has seen his income fall by 70 percent and fears he may have to close his business if customers do not return.

JKR also could not provide a solid explanation as to why this matter has not been resolved.

— Mohd. Sobri RamleeCommunity activist Mohd. Sobri Ramlee expressing frustration with the Public Works Department's response.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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