{
  "id": 16458893,
  "title": "Damaged Kuala Besar jetty puts more than 1,000 users at risk",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/damaged-kuala-besar-jetty-puts-more-than-1-000-users-at-risk",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T09:37:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1563241/damaged-kuala-besar-jetty-puts-more-1000-users-risk"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: More than a thousand individuals who commute daily between Kuala Besar and the islands near Tumpat are facing safety concerns due to a severely damaged jetty they utilize to board boats. The jetty, previously compromised by floods last year, now displays broken railings and a compromised platform, prompting apprehensions regarding the well-being of residents and visitors traveling to destinations such as Pulau Suri. Residents have resorted to placing stones beneath broken portions of the structure to bolster the platform and preserve the jetty's functionality. The head of Kampung Che Latiff, Wan Kamal Wan Ahmad, 61, has been serving as the village head for three years. He emphasized that the jetty, constructed using federal government funding over three years ago, has become an indispensable connection for island communities. It serves residents, visitors, and authorities, particularly during emergencies and for transporting patients to the mainland for medical treatment. Wan Kamal expressed concern over the potential for more serious injuries if the current situation persists. He proposed the construction of a concrete jetty to offer a safer and more durable facility for the community. Notably, the jetty operates around the clock and accommodates over 60 passenger boats and 22 privately owned boats, along with a complimentary parking area. Residents Hassan Bakar, 62, noted that the condition of the jetty is a daily worry for communities whose lives are centered around boat travel. He stated that thousands of people residing on the islands depend on boats for their daily commutes, with the combined population of Pulau Rejuna and Pulau Suri estimated at 5,000, and a broader island community of approximately 10,000. Boat fares range from RM2 to RM3 per passenger, with children traveling free. The voyage from the mainland to the islands typically takes between five to 10 minutes, rendering the jetty a crucial link for residents traveling for work, education, medical care, and other daily necessities.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: More than 1,000 people who travel daily between Kuala Besar and the islands off Tumpat face safety risks due to a badly damaged jetty they rely on to board boats.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}