TAWAU: Residents in Ranggu have put up 50 posters at strategic locations in their neighbourhood to inform the public that the shortcut connecting Prima Ranggu and Bandar Sri Indah (BSI) will be opened on June 17.
Public representative Vincent Ong, 37, said his group would proceed with the plan to open the public reserve road if BSI developer Hap Seng Properties Development Sdn Bhd fails to take action within the 30-day period.
He said the posters have been installed since last Thursday throughout the Ranggu area, from the entrance to the far end of the neighbourhood, to ensure the information reaches all residents and road users.
According to him, the posters contain brief information about the planned action, including an assurance that the road will still be opened even if the developer does not carry out the work to open the route.
“The purpose of putting up these posters is to inform everyone that the road will definitely be opened on June 17. If within this one-month period (30 days) the developer still does not open the road, we (the residents) will proceed with the work ourselves,” he said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Vincent also revealed that local residents have initiated efforts to organise donation drives to help cover the cost of opening the road.
He said the proposal came about after he received calls from several residents who wanted to participate in resolving the issue through voluntary donations based on their ability and sincerity.
However, he said the actual cost of the shortcut opening works has yet to be determined, as it depends on the assessment by the contractor who will carry out the work.
Previously, the shortcut route, which is only about 25 to 30 steps in distance, remained a point of dispute between residents of BSI and the Ranggu area, leading to a series of peaceful protest demonstrations by both parties.
Commenting on the latest developments following a gathering attended by more than 1,000 people last week, Vincent said there has so far been no official response from the developer.
Nonetheless, he said his group has already taken follow-up action by sending official letters to several parties, including the police, Tawau Municipal Council (MPT), the Land and Survey Department (JTU), and the developer, as formal notification of the planned action.
He added that if any obstruction or disturbance occurs after the road is opened on June 17, the matter will be fully handed over to the authorities, particularly the police, for further action.
In the same statement, he expressed readiness and openness to hold dialogue or negotiations with any party, including the developer, to seek the best solution—as he has been willing to do since the issue first arose.
