Maslahat Suspension Bridge Eases Access for Thousands of Residents

The long wait for residents of two villages in Tasikmalaya Regency for a new bridge has finally ended. The daily river crossing, previously reliant on rafts and a simple, often broken bamboo bridge, has been replaced by a sturdy new structure connecting the two communities. Sinergi Foundation, in partnership with BSI Maslahat and Perum Perhutani, officially handed over the Maslahat Suspension Bridge, which links Sukamenak Village in Sukarame District with Cilolohan Village in Tanjungjaya District, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java, on Friday (19/6/2026). The bridge provides a solution to the community’s long-standing need for a safe and proper crossing. For the local residents, the bridge is not merely infrastructure but a vital artery for daily life. Previously, villagers had to endure various phases of inadequate crossings, from rafts to a bamboo bridge that once snapped, and later a wooden bridge that steadily deteriorated over time, leading to numerous accidents. Iwan Setiawan, a community representative, expressed the residents’ profound gratitude and happiness. Beyond providing safety, the bridge has significantly transformed mobility. A journey that once took approximately 1.5 hours can now be completed in just 15 minutes. Access to Tasikmalaya city has become faster and easier for the roughly 1,000 pedestrians and motorcyclists who use the crossing daily. He noted that improved access will have a major impact on livelihoods, facilitating economic activities, making it easier to market agricultural produce and home industry goods, and improving access to education for students from primary to high school. Furthermore, residents needing medical services can now reach healthcare facilities much more quickly. The suspension bridge was constructed over 31 days, from 13 March to 14 April 2026. With an estimated lifespan of 30 to 35 years, the bridge is designed for a maximum load of 10 people or one two-wheeled vehicle at a time to ensure safety and durability. Hadi Supriyadi, Senior Partnership at Sinergi Foundation, expressed appreciation to all parties involved, including BSI Maslahat, Perhutani, donors, and the community who worked together from the planning stage, through foundation construction and sling installation, to the inauguration. “This bridge is the result of collaboration among many parties who share the same hope: to bring benefits to the community. We hope it can serve as a pathway to improving the economy, easing access to education, speeding up healthcare services, and supporting various other aspects of the residents’ lives,” he said. Meanwhile, Head of Perum Perhutani KPH Tasikmalaya, Danu Prasetyo, expressed his hope that the community will maintain and utilise the bridge properly so that its benefits can be enjoyed in the long term. He also opened up the possibility of further collaboration with Sinergi Foundation to build similar bridges in other remote areas in need of proper connecting access. The Maslahat Suspension Bridge stands as proof that collaboration between Sinergi Foundation, BSI Maslahat, Perhutani, and the community can deliver real solutions. More than just connecting two areas, the bridge connects the residents’ hopes for a safer, easier, and more prosperous life.