POLICE today arrested the 64-year-old skipper of a pump boat that capsized near the waters of Kampung Tandoan, Pulau Timbun Matas in Semporna last night, resulting in five people drowning.

Semporna police chief Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the local man was detained at 12.50pm today and would be remanded for further investigations.

“Police are undertaking a probe under section 304A of the penal code for causing death by negligence.

“Five passengers aged between two and 40 died, while 14 others aged between one and 65 were rescued by villagers.

“A 14-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy are still missing,” he said in a statement.

He said police will look into all aspects of the incident, adding that the passengers had boarded the boat at Kampung Bakung Bakung and were on their way to Kampung Tandoan, Pulau Timbun Mata.

He urged those with information on the case to contact  Semporna Criminal Investigation Department investigation officer Khadijah at 019-8718002 or the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director for the Semporna Maritime Zone Norrimi Hassan said the dead were identified as Bunga Basah Nuhalan, 40; Anisa Harimalam, 20; Syawal, two ; Iman, two; and four-year-old Nurul Syafiqah.

“The dead victims and the two still missing are related to each other. The search area has now been widen to 68 nautical miles from the scene,” he told a press conference today.

Norrimi added that 60 rescuers from the MMEA, the Fire and Rescue Department, marine police and villagers are involved in the search and rescue for the two missing victims.

The boat is believed to have capsized following bad weather and big waves. – Bernama, April 15, 2022.