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Don’t stop searching till missing six are found, says China envoy

KOTA KINABALU — China’s ambassador to Malaysia urged Putrajaya on Wednesday (Feb 1) to continue its search-and-rescue operations for six people, including a 10-year-old girl, still missing after their catamaran sank off Sabah’s west coast five days ago.

Kota Kinabalu City Hall officers will be stationed at two jetties in Tanjung Aru to prevent tourist boats from using them. Photo: Malay Mail Online.

Kota Kinabalu City Hall officers will be stationed at two jetties in Tanjung Aru to prevent tourist boats from using them. Photo: Malay Mail Online.

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KOTA KINABALU — China’s ambassador to Malaysia urged Putrajaya on Wednesday (Feb 1) to continue its search-and-rescue operations for six people, including a 10-year-old girl, still missing after their catamaran sank off Sabah’s west coast five days ago.

“We request that the search and rescue be continued till every last missing person is found. We cannot give up hope until everyone is accounted for,” Mr Huang Hui Kang told reporters during a visit to 20 Chinese tourists rescued from the boat and now recuperating at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.

Five of the missing are Chinese citizens, while the sixth is a local boat crew member.

Mr Huang praised the Malaysian authorities for the ongoing search and rescue efforts to date, but also said he hoped the government will give a clear answer to the public and the Chinese families on what happened and what measures are to be taken to prevent it from happening again.

“This tragedy is the worst news possible to happen on Chinese New Year, it shouldn’t have happened, but now that is has, we have to learn our lesson and take effective measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” he said.

“Foreign activities must be properly handled. We hope the Malaysian government will spare no effort to make sure this incident doesn’t occur again,” he added.

Mr Huang also said China will continue to extend it cooperation as best possible.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident which has led to the catamaran capsize with 28 Chinese tourists onboard at the last count.

The boat left the jetty at 9am on the first day of Chinese New Year heading to Mengalum island but hit bad weather and sank some eight nautical miles before reaching its destination.

Meanwhile, the Kota Kinabalu City Hall will be posting guards to at least two village jetties in Tanjung Aru in a bid to stop tour companies from using them to ferry tourists.

Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, who visited one location on Wednesdya, said the jetty used as a boarding point for the ill-fated catamaran carrying Chinese tourists was a legal structure approved by City Hall for local fishermen from the village.

“We want to ensure that no tourist boats use this jetty. Today we will do some dismantling of some planks and remove some seating to show that it is not fit for tourists,” he said.

“We will also temporarily station enforcement officers at these two jetties to stop tourists from using them from now on.”

On Tuesday, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Pang Yuk Ming said that the jetty used by the tour operator was illegal and there were only three tourist sanctioned take off points: Jesselton Pier, the Sutera Harbour Marina and Shangri La Tanjung Aru Resort.

In Tanjung Aru water village, tourists illegally take off from at least two points, a cement jetty built and approved by City Hall, and a wooden jetty maintained jointly by villagers and a tour company.

When asked why no action was taken over complaints that the jetty was being used illegally before, Mr Yeo said that city hall had no jurisdiction to enforce the law at sea.

He said that due to demand, there were plans to build a better tourist jetty in the area.

The accident, which has sparked debate and critic over ill managed tour companies with dubious business practices, is under investigation by several authorities including the Ministry of Tourism and Culture who are the licencing authority.

At least two companies directly involved in the boat excursion. Chau’s Nature Tours and Golden Sailing stand to have their license revoked or be fined over various offences.

The rescued skipper and one crew member are under police remand until Thursday, while the boat company owner will be held till Friday. They are being investigated for manslaughter due to negligence. MALAY MAIL ONLINE

 

 

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