GEORGE TOWN – Penang will assist the two Singaporeans still hospitalised, who were among the 10 in the tour van that plunged into a 6m ravine on Sunday night here.
The two female Singaporeans, aged 58 and 56, remain under surveillance at the Penang Hospital.
One is in the orthopaedic section while another is in the general surgery ward. Both are reportedly in stable condition.
State executive councillors for tourism and health Wong Hon Wai and Daniel Gooi, who held a joint media briefing today, added that the government has extended assistance to victims of the tragedy.
One male Singaporean, aged 50, is expected to be discharged and will join 25 others who embarked on the private tour to Penang.
The victims had dined at the Leisure Park restaurant at one of the peaks in the Balik Pulau valley on Sunday when tragedy struck.
One van bringing 10 of them downhill skidded and dropped into a 6m ravine while en route to their hotel in Tg Bungah.
Retiree Lee Kwee Yiam, 62, was unfortunately killed in what is believed to be the worst incident involving tourists in Penang this year.
The deceased’s family has claimed her remains, and they are making their way back to Singapore via land, Wong said.
Police are investigating the case for reckless driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, where the maximum penalty is five to 10 years with a fine of RM20,000 to RM50,000 upon conviction.
Wong also said that the majority of the Singaporean tour group are heading home later today.
Meanwhile, Gooi quashed speculation that some of the Singaporeans were unhappy that their requests to be transferred to a private hospital were not accepted.
“There is no information to support such claims,” he said.
Gooi noted that the state has not received any formal complaint over the matter, adding that medical attention is a personal decision the patient and family members need to undertake.
He added that Penang authorities are willing to facilitate the process should they prefer to be transferred to private hospitals here. – The Vibes, September 26, 2023
