A Heartbreaking Portrait of Infrastructure in Meranti: A Corpse Carried on a Stretcher Across the Sea, Shocking Our Conscience
MERANTI -ASWINNEWS.COM — Amidst the hustle and bustle of development echoed in various corners of the country, there are still corners of the country that have escaped the touch of progress. One of them is Sungai Gayung Kiri Village, Rangsang District, Meranti Islands Regency, Riau Province.
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, a heartbreaking story once again shocked the public conscience. A resident named Suriyati breathed her last at the Tanjung Samak Health Center, which was previously planned to be referred to the Meranti Islands Regency Hospital in Selatpanjang but did not happen—fate had other plans. However, the sad story did not stop in the treatment room.
When the body was about to be returned to its hometown, the family was again faced with a bitter reality: the land access to the village could not be passed by ambulance due to the severely damaged road conditions. The only way was by sea. The Baznas speedboat of Meranti Islands Regency became the last hope.
However, problems arose again. When the speedboat was about to dock at the village pier, they ran aground almost a kilometer from the shore. The gentle contour of the beach and the receding water made it difficult for the boat to reach land. There was no other choice.
Suriyati’s body was finally lowered from the boat and carried on a stretcher by a number of villagers. They walked along the muddy beach with waist-deep sea water. Amidst small waves, sticky mud, and feelings of emotion, the residents took turns carrying the stretcher. They walked with great fortitude, carrying the body back to their hometown.
The Head of Sungai Gayung Kiri Village, Perdana Noriowati, was unable to hide her sadness and emotion. She expressed her deep concern over the condition of the village infrastructure which was still far from adequate.
” We know this is not ideal. But this is our current condition. We can only apologize and hope that in the future there will be real change,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“From the bottom of my heart, I really feel what our residents are feeling. We apologize for not being able to provide the best,” he added in a faltering voice.
This incident is a real portrait of how limited infrastructure and difficult access between regions are still big homework for the Meranti Islands Regency Government. Amidst the challenges of budget rationalization and difficult geographical conditions, development efforts must continue to be encouraged with special attention, especially for villages in the outermost and remote areas.
The community hopes that a tragedy like this will not happen again. That in the midst of an era that continues to advance, there should not still be bodies that have to be carried on stretchers across the sea to get home.
author Ardes
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