Stepping Toward Hope on the Sloping Bridge: Polri's Service for Schoolchildren's Smiles in Riau
Schoolchildren in uniform on Bukit Datuk, Dumai Selatan district, Dumai city, are no longer hesitant as they cross the sloping bridge that once threatened danger. Through the Jembatan Merah Putih Presisi programme, Riau Police (Polda Riau) is turning the hope of children to have safe access to pursuing their ambitions into reality.
This development is tangible proof that Polri is not only about law enforcement but also about addressing directly the most basic needs of people at the grassroots level. The bridge project is not merely a physical project but a manifestation of a deep message conveyed during this year’s Safari Ramadhan of Polda Riau.
The Dumai Police Chief, AKBP Angga F Herlambang, said the bridge, located on Gang Sungai, Bukit Datuk, Dumai Selatan, Dumai city, is the lifeblood of residents in daily activities, including children who will go to school.
“This bridge is part of the Jembatan Merah Putih Presisi Phase II project initiated by the Polda Chief. It will be worked on in the near future,” Angga said on Friday (6 March 2026).
Some time ago, the Emergency Bridge Task Force of Riau Police led by Task Force Commander Kombes I Ketut Gede Adi Wibawa conducted a site survey. The survey results recommended building a permanent bridge.
“Results from the assessment team PT 1011 recommend building an iron bridge with a concrete deck of 24 by 1 metres, with a deck thickness of 15 cm,” Ketut said.
The plan for the bridge was welcomed by local residents and the local government. The community even offered to help with the construction so that the sloping bridge could be built soon.
A resident expressed hope that the Riau Police would realise the bridge project. They hoped for decent and safe access for travel to school and for worship.
“Please, Mr Polda Riau, we request your assistance to repair our bridge which is no longer fit for travel to school and for worship from Bumi Ayu village and nearby areas. Please help,” said one resident.
Hope also shone on the faces of children in Gang Sungai. They long to cross a sturdy bridge.
“Mr Kapolda, please build a bridge for our school and for our Qur’anic lessons, thank you Mr Polda Riau,” the children said.