Brothers feared drowned during first trip out of Rompin

New Straits Times

04-05-2025

KUALA KRAI: A grandfather did not expect his first trip with two grandsons to end in tragedy, after both boys were feared to have drowned in Sungai Kampung Kilat yesterday.
The victims, Irruwan Rantau, 17, and Rahidi Rantau, 16, had travelled with their grandfather Hamzah Yahya, 62, and 30 other workers last week to work on a watermelon farm.
It was the first time the brothers, from the Jakun tribe, had left Rompin, Pahang.
"My two grandsons were eager to help me plant watermelon seeds. But I never imagined it would end like this," Hamzah told reporters at the scene today.
He said that before the incident, both boys told him they were going fishing at the riverbank.
Shortly after, their cousin rushed home in a panic, saying Rahidi and Irruwan had drowned while swimming.
"I rushed to the river with two of my sons. We searched and called out their names, but saw nothing. In the end, I lodged a police report," he said.
Hamzah said the boys' parents arrived at the scene at 11am today after being informed of the tragedy.
Since morning, he has waited at the riverbank, hoping that each ripple on the water and every sound of the current might signal the return of his grandsons.
But as time passes, all that remains is a prayer growing fainter with each moment.
"They came to help me earn a living, but in the end, I lost two grandchildren at once," said Hamzah, still struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Meanwhile, the victims' cousin, Rosyam Nor, 14, who witnessed the incident, said the three of them had gone to the river to search for worms to use as fishing bait.
"Irruwan invited us to swim, but I warned him against it because the current was strong. He insisted on going anyway," he said.
Rosyam said Irruwan began struggling in the water within five minutes, and Rahidi jumped in to try to save him — but both were swept away by the current.
"I ran home. It took me a while to tell my grandmother because I was too shocked. But I had to, as I was afraid they might be swept even further," he said.
Sungai Durian Fire and Rescue Station chief Zulhilmi Baharudin said the search and rescue (SAR) operation has yet to yield any leads.
He said the team was focusing on the area where the boys were last seen, but strong currents had made the search difficult.
The operation will resume tomorrow morning due to safety concerns, unpredictable weather and fast-moving waters.
"Today, the search radius extended between five and 10 kilometres from the incident site, but no leads were found.
"The operation involved surface searches, underwater diving, and boat patrols across several designated zones," he said.
The SAR operation today involved 48 personnel, including members of the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) from the Pengkalan Chepa and Machang fire stations, the Royal Malaysia Police and Civil Defence Force. Local villagers and orchard owners also provided assistance.