THE remains of three victims who drowned in the Pulau Perhentian boat capsize have been transported back to their respective hometowns in Butterworth and Sungai Petani for burial.
Dr K. Balachandran, Special Officer for Non-Islamic Affairs to the Terengganu Menteri Besar, confirmed that post-mortem and funeral arrangements for S. Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter A. Sarrvihka, and their 10-year-old relative V. Vennpani were completed by 4.30pm today.
“All 15 passengers on the boat were related and had a history of holidaying together on the islands of Terengganu,” he said at the Forensics Unit of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ) in Kuala Terengganu.
“Two of the victims will be laid to rest in Butterworth, and the third in Sungai Petani. According to the family, the group — comprising four families — had arrived last Friday for a holiday and were scheduled to return home today.”
He added that the incident occurred when the group was returning from dinner on Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Perhentian Besar, when the boat was struck by large waves and capsized at approximately 10.30pm on Saturday. Three were killed, while one remains in critical condition at the intensive care unit of HSNZ.
Survivors and bereaved family members are said to be in shock and unable to speak to the media at this time. “The families extend their gratitude to all parties who assisted in handling this tragedy,” Balachandran said.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing expressed outrage over the incident, revealing that the travel agency and boat operator involved were operating without valid licences, which expired in April.
“I am deeply angered and disappointed by the tragic boat capsize incident off Pulau Perhentian, which resulted in three deaths and nine injuries,” he said in a statement.
Tiong further disclosed that the boatman had tested positive for drugs and had a history of five prior drug-related offences.
“The fact that the travel agency saw fit to hire such a person to ferry passengers at sea is gross negligence of safety and a complete disregard for human lives,” he said, vowing a full investigation by his ministry.
Besut police chief Superintendent Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu confirmed that the boatman has been detained and will assist in the investigation.
Tiong also warned tourism operators against endangering lives through cost-cutting or negligence. “Malaysia has already experienced numerous incidents that have cast a shadow over our tourism sector, damaging the country’s reputation and, in some cases, prompting foreign governments to issue travel warnings against certain destinations here. If left unchecked, this will severely affect our tourism industry in the long run.”
He called on the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to intensify monitoring of all vessels operating in Malaysian waters. - June 29, 2025
