Police probe boat tragedy off Tanjung Harapan that claimed three lives

New Straits Times

07-06-2025

KLANG: Police have opened an investigation into the boat capsizing incident which occurred at 4.30pm off Tanjung Harapan, claiming three lives and leaving two people missing.
North Klang district police chief Assistant Commissioner S. Vijaya Rao said the case is being investigated under Section 280 of the Penal Code for reckless or negligent navigation.
He said this follows preliminary findings into the vessel's condition, witness statements, and the incident's circumstances.
Police have so far recorded statements from three individuals, including the sole survivor of the tragedy.
"Yes, we have recorded the survivor's statement.
"In addition to the survivor, statements were also taken from two key witnesses, both affiliated with the Royal Selangor Yacht Club.
"One of them was the person who made the emergency call to MERS 999.
"He had sought help from a colleague, also from the Yacht Club, to assist in towing the sunken boat," he told reporters at a press conference at the Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) headquarters this evening.
He said the vessel has since been refloated and towed to the Selangor MMEA headquarters for further inspection.
The boat will later be transferred to the marine police base for a comprehensive technical investigation.
"Our focus now includes a technical analysis of the vessel to determine if any elements of negligence or mechanical failure were involved," he said.
The incident occurred on Friday evening and involved six people board a recently repaired boat.
"Three victims, including a three-year-old boy, were found dead, while two others remain missing.
"One teenager survived and is currently receiving medical treatment," he added.
Vijaya said the search for the missing couple, identified as Gan Hon Tat and his wife Careen Man, is ongoing.
He said the search and rescue (SAR) operation would be temporarily halted at 7pm due to poor visibility.
"Based on advice from the Fire and Rescue Department, today's SAR efforts were mostly focused on the sea surface and inside the boat," he said, adding that it took nearly four hours for the authorities to retrieve and refloat the vessel after yesterday's incident.
He said strong underwater currents made it unsafe for rescuers to conduct search below the surface.