Indonesia resumes search for 30 missing ferry passengers
Indonesia rescue team members sail on dinghies during a search operation for missing passengers, after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry carrying 65 people sank near the Indonesian island of Bali, in Bali, Indonesia, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo
GILIMANUK, Indonesia - Indonesian rescuers are battling strong currents on Friday as they resume the search for 30 people still missing at sea about 35 hours after a ferry sank killing at least six people, officials said.
The ferry named KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was carrying 65 people, all Indonesians, when it sank about 30 minutes after setting sail from East Java bound for the holiday island of Bali on Wednesday night, said search and rescue agency official Ribut Eko Suyatno.
Twenty-nine survivors were rescued on Thursday before the search was called off due to poor visibility.
Dayu Made Silawati, 55, said her husband, Dewa Gede Adyana Putra Usia, was travelling on the ferry to pick up supplies in Bali for his job as a truck driver.
Waiting for news at a rescue centre in Bali, she said the last time she spoke to him was on Wednesday night.
"'I just got on the ship,'" she recalled him saying. "I said to him, 'be careful', dear."
At 4 a.m. on Thursday, Silawati said she called him again, and again. There was no answer.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4
Asia Japan urges evacuation of small island as 1,000 quakes hit region
Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day
Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS
World Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters will start going out on July 4
World Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending Bill wins congressional approval
Asia Indonesian rescuers widen search for missing after ferry sinks
Business More Singapore residents met CPF Required Retirement Sum when they turned 55 in 2024
Rescue operations resumed on Friday in the waters of Bali Strait involving ships, helicopters, and hundreds of rescuers, Eko said. Strong currents and rain are expected.
Transportation safety investigators would probe the cause of the sinking when the search is over, officials said. The ferry was not overloaded when it went down, officials said on Thursday.
Ferries are a common mode of transportation in Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, and lax safety standards allow vessels to be overcrowded with inadequate life-saving equipment. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Clans of Geylang: The fight for survival and revival
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Stanley Ng (left), secretary-general of the Huang Clan Association's youth committee, and his father, Mr Ng Poh Wah, the clan's former chairman. SINGAPORE – For 78 years, the Huang Clan Association was housed in Jiangxia Tang, a two-storey bungalow with distinctive yellow shutters and red grille gates in Lorong 35 Geylang. The clan was established in 1924 following a merger of several clans whose members had the surname 'Huang' or its variants. Today, its headquarters are spread over a two-storey space in Sixteen35 Residences, an eight-storey condominium that was completed three years ago on the 2,220 sq m site of the original clan house. The association's name runs down a street-facing wall in seven silver Chinese characters beside a private entrance to the clan house, complete with its own private lift. The association occupies three levels of a dedicated section of the building. On level 2 are lushly carpeted air-conditioned rooms, a multi-purpose hall, library, meeting rooms and an office. A climate-controlled cultural and heritage exhibition room houses antique furniture and artworks from the original bungalow. The transformation of the Huang Clan's premises was three decades in the making. 'Since the 1990s, we were already discussing the deteriorating state of the building and ageing membership,' says Mr Ng Poh Wah, 67, the clan's former chairman. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church 'But our plans to revamp the clan house never came to fruition, because the main issue then was, where will the money come from?' adds the businessman. An opportunity emerged amid the condo development boom in Geylang in the 2010s. In 2013, Mr Ng – then the association chairman – established a task force to bring about the building of a new clan house. In 2018, the clan sold a 99-year leasehold estate to Oxley Holdings, while retaining ownership of the land. As part of the deal, the property developer would transfer a portion of the units back to the Huang Clan to form part of the new clan house. The old clan premises and an adjacent house made way for the new condominium, which now sits on a 23,800 sq ft plot of land. 'People have told us it doesn't look like a clan house at all, but we think of it as an entirely new model of the clan house. So there's not much regret over losing the old clan house, because we've gained something,' says Mr Ng . 'Clan events have shifted from the previous open-air grounds to a modern ballroom, which can be booked for activities by non-clan members,' says Mr Steven Huang, 60, the clan's former vice-chairman. The third floor of the clan's premises is currently rented to a Buddhist association, which took over the lease from a yoga studio. 'Now, the clan is entirely self-sustaining and we don't have to keep relying on donations,' says Mr Stanley Ng, 37, secretary-general of the youth committee and Mr Ng Poh Wah 's son. Since the new clan house opened in 2022, youth membership has increased by 30 per cent. Now, half of the clan's executive committee is under 45. To complement existing efforts to increase youth engagement, the clan used the premises to host youth wing activities and even added a karaoke room on the second floor as part of the renovations. The younger Mr Ng says: 'The old building was reminiscent of an old men's club, it was difficult to attract young people… It's so much better now – it's more comfortable, and there's a more conducive space for our youth wing activities. ' 'With the renovation, Huang Clan has fortunately transcended the issues of lack of funds, due to the sustainability of the premises and its attractiveness to our youth members.' Opposition to the redevelopment The redevelopment was not without its difficulties. 'Normally, you see mixed residential and commercial developments , but this was the first time anyone wanted to mix clan associations with residential use,' says Mr Stanley Ng. The unique nature of the deal saw his father engaging in extensive talks with potential developers, legal advisers, and clan members. 'We are the first clan in Singapore to have done anything like this. Originally, our lawyers thought that it wouldn't even have been possible,' says Mr Ng Poh Wah. 'I spent every weekend meeting developers, it was a very long and draining process. I spent more time on the negotiations than on my own business,' he adds. The Huang Clan Association's headquarters are spread over a two-storey space in Sixteen35 Residences. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE Internally, some clan members opposed the redevelopment, arguing for the original clan house to be gazetted as a cultural site. This was especially since it was where the renowned Chinese painter Xu Beihong created some of his works during his visits to Singapore between the 1920s and 1942 , when the island fell to the Japanese . Mr Ng explained to them that constructing a new clan house was a hard but necessary step. He says: 'We tried to preserve the original facade of the house, but the architect told us that it would not be possible because the piling works would affect the structural quality.' Mr Stanley Ng adds: 'If it was gazetted for preservation, then who would take on the cost of making the building safe and revamping the building? We had to think of what was in the best interest of the clan.' His father recalls: 'At the end of the day, the clan had a lot of cash flow problems. My committee members and I had to donate our own money to keep the clan running. When I was the chairman, I think I donated more than $100,000 of my own money for things like scholarships and banquets. If we continued, it would not be sustainable.' To obtain zoning approval for the redevelopment of the site, it had to give up the traditional practice of burning incense and paper offerings during the Chinese New Year and Hungry Ghost Festival. Moreover, as the entire clan house is now indoors, the clan's lion dance troupe had to disband as the noise would affect condo residents. But Mr Ng Poh Wah adds: 'It would have happened sooner or later, because more condominiums are popping up in the area.' Despite the sacrifices and initial resistance, the turnaround in the association's fortunes – in terms of finances and its youth membership – has made it a model for its peers. Mr Stanley Ng says: 'Now, other clans who are trying to replicate what we did (have) approached us in private for advice.' A photo on display showing the clan's former premises in a two-storey bungalow. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE Consolidations and closures 'What Huang Clan did was very special,' says Ms Lynn Wong, 32, a heritage consultant. 'Many clans have been closing down because there is nobody left to take over, or they cannot sustain their finances.' Just over 200 of Singapore's 500 clan associations of the past still exist, she notes. In Geylang, that figure has dwindled from 108 in 1998 to 74 today. Nevertheless, the area remains home to the largest concentration of clan associations in Singapore. A 50ha zone in Geylang was designated for clans in 1992 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The area, which stretches from Lorong 7 to 35, and Lorong 6 to 20, was designated 'commercial/institution' zoning, the only one of its kind in Singapore. Clans islandwide whose original premises had been acquired by the Government for redevelopment or which had been priced out of their original locations were encouraged to move into the area, with the promise of fast-track zoning approval for their premises. One of those clans that made use of the scheme is Char Yong (Dabu) Association. In 1988, the clan – one of Singapore's oldest clan associations – moved from its original premises in Cairnhill Road to its current location in Lorong 22 Geylang. The clan has been increasing its presence in Geylang steadily. It completed the construction of its Hakka village in Lorong 18 Geylang in December 2024. The building's temporary occupation permit is expected by July or August 2025. Four floors of the building will be leased out to commercial tenants while the rest of the building will be used for clan activities. The association bought the 17,000 sq ft freehold site for $37 million in August 2020. The site, which was formerly occupied by 11 shophouses, is a key part of the clan's future. 'It helps that it's close to our current location, and there's a very rich culture and heritage of clans in the area,' says Mr Lee Hong Ping, 55, head of the association's heritage committee. While Char Yong (Dabu) and the Huang Clan leveraged their locations in Geylang to launch redevelopment plans, smaller clans in the neighbourhood have not been immune to the broader decline of Chinese clan associations in Singapore. 'Other clans in Geylang are not as fortunate as they are still renting their premises, and they move out once rents rise,' says Ms Wong, who has documented the closure of several clans, many of which have shuttered for good or merged with larger ones. For the Huang Clan, the sacrifices that came with reconstructing its premises were necessary for the larger purpose of renewal. The elder Mr Ng, who also chairs the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations' Member Affairs Committee, says: 'Not all clans are able to replicate what we did due to constraints like land. However, the most crucial issue still lies in getting people on board with change.' He says: 'There are clan elders who want things to stay on as they are forever. We have to make progress as times change so that succession can happen.'
Straits Times
40 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Fonseca's Wimbledon run ends but he will be back
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 4, 2025 Brazil's Joao Fonseca in action during his third round match against Chile's Nicolas Jarry REUTERS/Isabel Infantes LONDON - Brazil's Joao Fonseca will be back, there is not much doubt about that, but for now the 18-year-old says he still has a few things to learn to make himself a force at Wimbledon. The golden boy from Rio de Janeiro, slated as the next big thing in men's tennis, marked his first Wimbledon foray by a run to the third round but was then stopped by Chile's Nicolas Jarry. Despite a 6-3 6-4 3-6 7-6(4) defeat on Court Two, where he enjoyed plenty of support, Fonseca showed flashes of the powerful shot-making that has got everyone so excited. After being overpowered in the opening two sets, Fonseca sparked into life and seemed on the verge of turning around the match but could not convert any of the six break points that came his way and went on to lose the tiebreak. "For sure a lot of lessons. When you go to a Grand Slam and play, the players play differently. They are much more focused," Fonseca said. "It's a five-set match, and everything can happen. "You can have two sets up and then you can still lose the match. So you need to stay focused all the time and positive." For a player seemingly made for big stages, it was a shame that he missed a likely Centre Court clash with Britain's Cameron Norrie on Sunday. But Fonseca preferred to take the positives. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church "Of course, a little frustration," he told reporters. "I had the opportunity and I probably would have been playing better in the fifth set, I was feeling confident. "But at the same time I'm still young and a lot to come. We're going to be back next year. Just take the learnings, keep working and let's go for it. Fonseca made his Grand Slam main draw debut only at this year's Australian Open, knocking out Russian seed Andrey Rublev in the opening round. He then reached the third round of the French Open and repeated that feat in London. Not a bad way to start his Grand Slam story and he is already looking forward to the U.S. Open where he will receive noisy support from the large Brazilian population in New York. "For me it's a privilege when you have your country supporting you, and you feel like you represent your country," he said. "It's super nice because we don't have that much of a following in Brazil. I know for sure there's going to be a lot in New York. It's going to be nice." REUTERS
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Trump to sign 'big, beautiful' bill on US Independence Day
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump prepared Friday (Jul 4) to sign his flagship tax and spending bill in a pomp-laden Independence Day ceremony featuring fireworks and a flypast by the type of stealth bomber that bombed Iran. Trump pushed Republican lawmakers to get his unpopular "One Big Beautiful Bill" through a reluctant Congress in time for him to sign it into law on the US national holiday, and they did so with a day to spare Thursday. Ever the showman, Trump will now meld a victory lap over the bill, which cements his radical second term agenda, with a grand party at the White House marking 249 years of independence from Britain. Trump announced a signing ceremony at the White House for 4pm (4am, Singapore time) and said pilots who carried out the bombing on Iran were among those who had been invited. Looking jubilant at a rally Thursday in Iowa after the bill passed, Trump said "the age of America is upon us. This is a golden age." The bill, which includes massive new funding for Trump's migrant deportation drive, is the latest in a series of big political wins at home and abroad for the 79-year-old tycoon, and underscores his dominance over both the Republican Party and US politics at large, for now. His administration has meanwhile glossed over deep concerns from his own party and voters that it will balloon the national debt, while simultaneously gutting health and welfare support. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett on Friday rebuffed the criticism, claiming the bill will produce "a real blowout for growth." "Nobody's going to lose their health insurance because of this," Hassett told Fox News, rejecting nonpartisan analyses estimating millions of poor Americans will lose health coverage on the government-funded Medicaid program. First Lady Melania Trump was also set to attend the Independence Day event. The president's wife had told reporters on Thursday that a B-2 bomber, the type of aircraft that bombed Iran's nuclear facilities on June 22, and fighter jets would carry out a flypast for the Jul 4 event. And Trump told the rally-goers in Iowa that the pilots and others who worked on the mission would join him for the festivities. "They're going to be in Washington tomorrow, at the White House, we're going to be celebrating," he said. Deep misgivings Trump forced through the bill despite deep misgivings in the Republican Party, and the vocal opposition of his billionaire former ally, Elon Musk. It squeezed past a final vote in the House of Representatives 218-214 after Republican Speaker Mike Johnson worked through the night to corral the final group of dissenters. The sprawling mega-bill honors many of Trump's campaign promises: boosting military spending, funding a mass migrant deportation drive and committing US$4.5 trillion to extend his first-term tax relief. The legislation is the latest in a series of big wins for Trump, including a Supreme Court ruling last week that curbed lone federal judges from blocking his policies, and the US air strikes that led to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. But it is expected to pile an extra US$3.4 trillion over a decade onto the US deficit. At the same time it will shrink the federal food assistance program and force through the largest cuts to the Medicaid health insurance scheme for low-income Americans since its 1960s launch. Up to 17 million people could lose their insurance coverage under the bill, according to some estimates. Scores of rural hospitals are expected to close as a result.
