TAMPARULI SUSPENSION BRIDGE — AN ENDURING LIFELINE AND THE SOUL OF THE COMMUNITY

By Lucia Terrey Anak John

TUARAN, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- A visit to Sabah is incomplete without setting foot on the Tamparuli Suspension Bridge, a tourism icon regarded as the ‘soul’ and lifeblood of the local community.

The uniqueness of the bridge is also immortalised in a song by Justin Lusah, which is not only well known among locals but also popular among tourists from Peninsular Malaysia, many of whom can sing it spontaneously.

“Pak pak kang ku doh (Dad, dad, I'm going out)

Sumunsui doh jambatan (Crossing the bridge) 

Jambatan doh Tamparuli  (Tamparuli Bridge) 

Bakasut tinggi oku (I'm wearing high heels) "

For the community of the small town, the lyrics have deep-rooted significance as they represent their life journey, having relied on the suspension bridge for decades to get to school, the market or to go about their daily routines.

Standing proudly across Sungai Kiulu, the Tamparuli Suspension Bridge, built in the 1930s, remains an essential lifeline to this day, ensuring uninterrupted movement for the public, especially when the land route below the bridge and the alternative bridge for vehicles are submerged by floods or plagued by heavy congestion.

For students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Advent Tamparuli, such as 13-year-old Nuraisyah Amira Abdullah, the bridge has been a ‘saviour’, ensuring she and her friends arrive at school on time almost every day.

“Using this bridge is faster, just a few minutes’ walk and we’re there. I used to follow my aunt by car along the lower route — lots of traffic, and during floods, we couldn’t pass. So this bridge is the only way to get to school,” she told Bernama recently.

According to Nuraisyah Amira, her teachers also frequently use the bridge to avoid being stuck in traffic jams, particularly during peak hours around 6.30 am and 1 pm.

“Everyone needs this bridge. If I had to sum up its importance in one sentence, I’d say it is the ‘Soul of Souls of Sabah’ because it truly is our lifeline here,” said the student, who lives with her aunt in Kampung Kapa, about 10 kilometres from the school.

The significance of the bridge is shared by vegetable seller Yulianti Simon, 40, from Tamparuli town, who considers it her route to sustenance after more than 15 years in business.

Commuting from Kampung Pangasaan twice a week to sell produce at the Tamparuli Market, Yulianti carries her vegetables — including mustard greens, brinjals, bitter gourds and cucumbers — in a wakid, a bamboo backpack, across the bridge, especially when the load is not too heavy.

“In my village, I rent a plot of land to farm. From that, I earn between RM1,000 and RM2,000 a month to support my family,” she said.

The bridge also finds a special place in the hearts of cultural performers such as Mary Jane, 19, from the Tuaran Cultural Arts Association (PESTA), who describes it as an iconic landmark and a heartbeat that drives cultural activities through the continuous flow of tourists.

“Every day we perform dances and play musical instruments at the foot of the bridge because we want to keep local cultural arts alive, and this initiative is funded through donations from tourists via a donation box, which is also used to help with repair works on the Tamparuli Bridge,” she said.

Recognising its historical value and potential as a tourist attraction, former Sabah Rural Development Minister and incumbent Tamparuli state assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim has previously implemented various initiatives to give the bridge a fresh new look.

Among them are decorating the bridge pillars with murals featuring Sabah ethnic motifs, which enhances the value of the town — a common gateway to Kinabalu Park in Kundasang — and installing solar-powered lights to ensure safety at night.

In the 17th Sabah State Election, Jahid, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president, did not defend the seat he held for four terms. He has been replaced by former Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Dr Bonaventure Boniface, representing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), who faces a 13-cornered contest.

Polling for the election involving 73 seats has been set for Nov 29 and early voting on Nov 25.

N14: TAMPARULI: SABAH:  26,767

1. Julia Ongkili                                           (PIS)

2. Jinitoh Sontori                                        (STAR)

3. Arthur Erik Lee                                       (Anak Negeri)

4. Andrew Mali                                           (IND)

5. Lee Han Kyun @ Joseph Lee                (Warisan)

6. Vun Yun Fook                                         (IND)

7. Johan Jahid                                            (IND)

8. Samson S.koroh @ Razali Suffian          (IND)

9. Raymond Alfred @ Jenry                         (IND)

10. Datuk Seri Madius Tangau                     (UPKO)

11. Aliusus Sipil @ Abdul Aziz                      (Rumpun)

12. Dr Gaim @ James Lunkapis                  (KDM)

13. Prof Madya Dr Bonaventure Boniface    (GRS-Gagasan Rakyat)

(2020: Datuk Jahid Jahim: PBS: Maj: 3,517)

-- BERNAMA