THE excitement of nine people, including six siblings, in an outing to Batu Payung beach yesterday turned into a tragedy when their boat capsized in the waters of Batu Payung while on their way back after being hit by waves.

So far, two victims have been found drowned and one is still missing.

The drowned victims were identified as Saiful Muhaimin, 15, who was found in the sea and his younger brother, Jaidi, 5, was found on the beach. Their sister, Rahena, 20, is still missing while six others were rescued.

One of the siblings, Zetty, 17, said the incident occurred when water entered the bow of the boat after it was battered by big waves, causing the boat to capsize.

“All of us fell into the sea. My five siblings and I could not swim and we were just struggling to keep our heads above the water,” she told reporters in Tawau today.

“I managed to grab my brother, Jefry, 6, and we held on to a fish drum.   

“My younger brother, Adam, 12, also clung to an oil drum before a passing boat came to save us. They rescued we three siblings, my husband, a cousin and a neighbour, but my sister and two other brothers could not be found.”

According to Zetty, her sister and four siblings went to Batu Payung beach for the first time in a boat from Batu 4 and did not expect the trip to become a tragedy.

The victims’ mother, Mary Nasir, 48, said six of her children left Kampung Rawa-Rawa at about 11am and then to Batu 4 to take a boat to Batu Payung beach. 

“At about 3pm, my daughter (Zetty) phoned to say their boat had capsized, and three of my children could not be found and two of them were recovered this morning,” said Mary, who was inconsolable.     

The eldest brother, Junior, 25, said he did not manage to stop his siblings from returning by boat when he saw the weather was not good.

“At the time, I did not follow them as I was managing the attire for my wedding scheduled on January 9. But at 2pm, my sister phoned to say they wanted to return. I forbade her. After that, I phoned them again but there was no answer. I did not expect their boat to capsize,” said the eldest of 10 siblings.

Meanwhile, Tawau Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Maritime Zone deputy director Amiludin Yenggah said yesterday the agency received information from police on the incident of three missing siblings who were feared drowned in Batu Payung waters.

“Following that, MMEA activated a search and rescue operation to look for the three with two assets before halting it to resume this morning.

“The search for the three victims was conducted together with villagers as well as police and Civil Defence Force personnel,” he said, adding that the incident is believed to be due to an excess load at the bow of the boat.

Amiludin advised members of the public to be cautious when going out to sea as the weather is uncertain and should always put on a life jacket when taking a boat. – Bernama, January 2, 2022.