SANDAKAN – A video of primary school pupils who fell into the sea after a jetty collapsed in Pulau Pababag, Semporna at about 7am today has gone viral on social media.
In the video, children can be heard crying while several teachers were at the scene to help the students get on the boat.
Locals claimed that the jetty was in a dilapidated condition but was still utilised by students of SK Pulau Pababag to get to school daily.
No casualties were reported from the incident.
Semporna community development leader and Semporna Umno divisional chief, Abdul Manan Indanan said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was informed of the incident today.
He said it was a coincidence that the latter came to Sabah for an official function today.
“He (Zahid) has agreed for funds to be allocated immediately to rebuild the jetty,” he said when met by reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.
Manan said there were about 20 primary school students involved in the incident, but he has not received the full report on the incident.
“We don’t know how much allocation is needed yet, but we are trying to get it (reconstruction) done immediately,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Semporna Fire and Rescue Department told The Vibes that the department did not receive a call or report on the incident. – The Vibes, January 30, 2023
