KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
has ordered the relevant authorities to carry out a detailed
investigation to determine the cause of the express boat tragedy in
Sungai Rajang, Sarawak.
“I have ordered a thorough investigation
on the tragedy and I call on all ferry operators to always be
responsible,” he said in a Facebook posting.
The Prime Minister said all Malaysians sympathised with the families of the victims who died in the incident.
In
Petaling Jaya, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said in a statement that the
express boat tragedy along Balui River was because there was still no
road access between Sibu, Kapit and Belaga. He said the questions that
ought to be answered were whether the tragedy was on the Cabinet's
agenda two days ago, and whether the Cabinet made any decision to ensure
road access between the three locations.
“If the answers are
negative to one or both, then what difference has the appointment of
seven ministers and four deputy ministers from Sarawak to the Cabinet
made to development for the rural population in the state?”
Lim
added that he had received e-mails from locals on the disaster, and
referred to two e-mails which called on the authorities to act on the
matter.
Meanwhile, the search and rescue operation (SRO) in
Belaga to find those missing in the express boat tragedy entered its
third day without much success.
The SRO was greatly hampered by the high water level and fast currents yesterday.
It
was estimated that the water had risen at least two metres as compared
to the day before and this had totally submerged the capsized boat which
was still partially visible on Wednesday.
The SRO yesterday was called off at about 6.30pm as darkness fell.
It will resume today at 6.30am, and its success will depend on the water level again.
Belaga
Police Chief DSP Bakar Sebau said the body of 44-year-old Tujok Lah was
found by residents of Rh Tevok along the river at 7am yesterday. The
location where this first body was found was about 10 minutes by boat
from the scene of the accident.
Tujok stayed in Rh Sking in Ng Merit, Kapit.
(Source: The Star Online)
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