THE drowning of three secondary students when their longboat capsized highlight the severe lack of basic amenities in rural Sarawak, state PKR chairman Roland Engan said.
The longboat, carrying 15 students and two adults, was crossing Sungai Kayan in Kampung Selampit to reach a school in Lundu when it capsized around 6.30am on August 20.
While 12 students and the two adults were rescued, three students were swept away. Their bodies were found several days later. They were identified as Alsma Jithil, 14, Helena Petrus, 17, and Vilkie Wilson, 15.
Engan criticised the absence of essential infrastructure, such as bridges across small rivers in Sarawak.
"The Lundu longboat tragedy is even more tragic as it involved students on their way to school," he said.
"They have to risk their lives daily just to cross the river because there isn't even a bridge for them to use. After the incident, we've heard excuses from local politicians about why a bridge hadn't been built there, despite the daily need for students to cross the river. Whatever their excuses, this incident is a stark reminder of how severely lacking basic amenities are in rural Sarawak."
Engan said state decision-makers must be held accountable.
The cause of the boat capsize is under investigation. The Sarawak Transport Ministry is probing why the boat was overloaded with passengers. Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the boat was also carrying a motorcycle and that none of those on board had safety vests.
Lundu is located about 100km from the state capital, Kuching. – August 26, 2024.
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