PKR S’wak chief calls for proactive measures after Lundu boat capsize tragedy

MIRI (Aug 21): The Lundu boat capsize tragedy is a wake-up call for the authorities to take proactive steps to prevent such incidents from recurring, said PKR Sarawak chairman Roland Engan.

He emphasised the need for holistic safety measures and a policy of necessity-centric infrastructure development to be implemented without further delay, instead of authorities issuing statements of enforcement after a tragedy has occurred.

“Interestingly, we noticed that the Minister of Transport would get the Sarawak Rivers Board to check on the probability of not wearing life jackets at all material times of incident.

“As much as we regret on what has happened, we should be courageous (enough) to accept this tragic  incident as another wake-up call for all our decision-making bodies to do their level best in expediting the development of basic infrastructures.

“This includes bridges, safe boat services, travel insurance and most importantly, awareness,” he said in a press statement today.

Roland commended Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol for revealing what he regarded as another insightful perspective on the tragic incident when he touched on the approved but yet-to-be-constructed Selampit Bridge.

“Surely, it is logical to draw certain nexus between the incident and the bridge construction delay due to  certain unavoidable factors that eventually limited the choice of the needy school children to travel by boats to schools,” he said.

Roland conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families.

As of this morning, three secondary school students are still missing after the boat they were travelling in with 13 other students capsized in Sungai Kayan, Kampung Selampit, Lundu yesterday.

The three are identified as Alsma Jithil, 14, Vikie Wilson, 15, and Helena Fasha Petrus, 16, all students of SMK Senibong.