Families of rowers who perished in Sarawak Regatta training receive aid

KUCHING (Oct 23): The Sarawak government has provided assistance to the families of the five rowers who perished during a training session for the Sarawak Regatta.

A Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report said the contributions also came from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, along with Social Welfare Department (JKM), Malaysian Government Servants Welfare and Sports Council (Maksak) Sarawak, Human Resource Development and Management Unit (UPPSM), and the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS).

State secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki led a delegation to hand over the contributions to the families of the late Mohamad Ikhmal Sama’ail, late Muhammad Khairul Hisham Kasturi, and late Mohd Afiq Isyamudin Asaari in Samarahan today.

Also present were UKPS director Datu Dr Chai Khin Chung, UPPSM director Sharifah Rohana Wan Alwi, JKMS director Semawi Mohamad, Samarahan Resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang, Samarahan district officer Ahmad Abdul Razak, and Asajaya district officer Jerry Zannuddin Bidin.

The contributions to the families of two other victims, the late Majurie Maharuf and late Khairul Bidin, in Pusa and Mukah will be handed over in the next few days.

The remains of the rowers were recovered on Sunday morning, three days after their boat capsized during their training session.

The remains were found near the barrage, approximately 2.5km from the area where the boat had capsized.