KUCHING, Sept 27: Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine is assisting in the funding of boat fuel for volunteers participating in the search and rescue (SAR) operation in Mukah waters following the boat sinking tragedy on Sept 20.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), after a five-day SAR operation, Royston visited the forward base at the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Mukah jetty on Monday (Sept 26).
The boat registered SF2-2837 is believed to have sunk in Mukah waters.
A 62-year-old victim has not been located, and the search continues.
Royston went on to say that he hoped the search for the remaining victim, Wong Ik Kong, would be made easier.
He also thanked the SAR operation team, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Bomba), the Civil Defence Force, the Marine Police, the Mukah IPD, the Matu Daro IPD, the Mukah Fishing Community, and all parties who assisted in the SAR effort.
On Sept 20, eight anglers were rescued, while two others were found dead.
The survivors were Wong Chiang Hie, Lingsan Spawi, Anuar Spawi, Lewis Yung Koh Ing, Chieng Hock Hung, Wang Ting Ping, Chong Fei Foo, and Lee Sie Soon.
The deceased were identified as Sabli Jun and Wong Siaw Tiang.
The ill-fated boat carrying eleven anglers departed Penakub Mukah Jetty earlier that day and capsized around 8.20pm.
On Sept 26, MMEA Bintulu director Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad stated that no new leads in the search for missing angler Wong Ik Kong had been discovered. — DayakDaily
