by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 19: Balingian Assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi, and Tellian Assemblyman Royston Valentine went on the ground last night to support the family of the two siblings feared to have drowned in the Batang Mukah river.
According to a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), both assemblymen were present with the victim’s family last night to provide moral support and to hear updates on the current search and rescue (SAR) operations carried out by the rescue agencies.
The two young siblings were feared drowned after they were swept away by the current while bathing in the Batang Mukah river near the Yellow Bridge yesterday.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Mukah’s report received at 4.23pm yesterday, the victims, 10-year-old Dexper Kiu and his seven-year-old sister Susie were bathing near the riverbank when the incident occurred at approximately 3.50pm.
The children, who did not know how to swim, were quickly pulled underwater by the strong current.
According to the victim’s mother, Jelia Engom, 39 years old, she had advised her children not to play near the river, but while she was busy tidying up the house, both of her children were believed to have gone out and bathed in the area without her knowledge.
The SAR operation was temporarily suspended at 8pm last night due safety factors and lack of visibility. – DayakDaily
