By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 3: Dudong assemblyman Dato Seri Tiong King Sing has voiced his disappointment over a shipping company’s alleged lack of concern for the family of a victim involved in the cargo ship and express boat collision off Tanjung Kunyit in Sibu on Sept 9.
According to TVS, Tiong said that although investigations into the cause of the incident are still ongoing, the company should have stepped forward to help and provide moral support to the victim’s family.
“I was informed that until today, the company has never visited or even checked in on the victim’s family. I am deeply saddened by this attitude. We’re talking about a human life here—the victim has a family still waiting for him to return.
“We’re not here to point fingers—that’s the responsibility of the police and authorities. But as human beings, we must have compassion. Just because you’re wealthy, don’t treat this as merely an insurance matter,” said Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, during a site visit today with Sibu District Police Chief, ACP Zulkipli Suhaili.
According to Zulkipli, although the search and rescue (SAR) operation was officially called off on Sept 18 after nine days without any leads, efforts to locate the victim are still ongoing by the marine police.
“We will continue monitoring, especially on the river’s surface. In addition, we are also exploring the use of new technology such as sonar to aid in the search,” he said.
The location of the incident was identified based on information from the captain of the cargo ship involved.
In the incident, an express boat transporting goods for longhouses along the Rajang and Pasin rivers collided with a container-laden cargo ship near Tanjung Kunyit.
The cargo ship’s helmsman noticed the express boat approaching at an alarming distance and began to reduce speed.
However, the express boat suddenly crossed in front of the cargo ship’s path, leading to a collision. The express boat sank shortly after the collision, with the cargo floating on the river’s surface.
The 64-year-old boat owner, who was on board, has yet to be found. — DayakDaily
