Latest news with #PulauPerhentian
Free Malaysia Today
03-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Skipper in fatal Perhentian capsize pleads guilty to drug use
Azrie Yazid, who tested positive for drugs following the accident, has a record of five criminal offences. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The skipper of the boat that recently capsized off Pulau Perhentian, killing three tourists, pleaded guilty to drug abuse at the magistrates' court in Besut, Terengganu, today. Azrie Yazid, 22, made his plea after the charge against him was read before magistrate Nurliyana Zukri. Kosmo reported that he was charged under Section 15(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1957 with the consumption of nimetazepam at the office of the Besut police headquarters' narcotics criminal investigation division at 10.05am on June 29. The charge provides for a fine of up to RM5,000, up to two years' imprisonment, or both upon conviction. The court allowed Azrie bail of RM2,500 with one surety and set Sept 4 for remention of the case and the receipt of the pathology report. The boat was carrying 15 passengers from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar when it capsized at around 10.30pm on June 28. S Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter Sarrvihka, and a 10-year-old relative, V Vennpani, died at the scene. Azrie, who tested positive for drugs following the accident, has a record of five criminal offences.
Malay Mail
02-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Perhentian boat tragedy: Police record statements from three, more to follow
KUALA TERENGGANU, July 2 — Police have recorded statements from three individuals in connection with the boat capsizing incident off Pulau Perhentian waters last Saturday, which claimed three lives. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the statements were recorded from three individuals, two men and a woman, aged between 22 and 39, to assist in the investigation. 'We have recorded statements from one of the passengers, the boat skipper, and the boat skipper's brother. More witnesses will be called in to assist with the investigation,' he said. 'All survivors will be called in to provide statements so we can determine what truly happened. Much of what's being circulated now is based on hearsay. Through this investigation, there may be additional evidence we can document,' he said during the duty handover ceremony for the state deputy police chief at the Terengganu contingent police headquarters (IPK) today. At the ceremony, the Terengganu Criminal Investigation Department chief, ACP Arsad Kamaruddin, was appointed as acting state deputy police chief, replacing Datuk Wan Rukman Wan Hassan, who went on compulsory retirement. Mohd Khairi said police are in the process of preparing the investigation papers related to the case, which are expected to be completed within a week. 'Our investigation is focused on the incident itself, to determine whether any criminal elements contributed to it. Other aspects, such as boat or licence violations, fall under the jurisdiction of the Marine Department,' he said. In the 10.30pm incident on Saturday, S. Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter A. Sarrvihka, and a 10-year-old relative, V. Vennpani, tragically lost their lives. Two others were injured, while 10 passengers survived the tragedy. All the boat passengers, aged between three and 40, were returning from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar after dinner, when their boat was suddenly struck by large waves, causing it to capsize. Besut police chief Supt Azamuddin Ahmad@Abu confirmed that the boat skipper tested positive for drugs and has five prior records related to drug offences. Azamuddin, when contacted by Bernama today, said the 22-year-old suspect, currently under remand to facilitate investigations under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, is expected to be charged in court tomorrow. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
30-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Skipper in deadly Perhentian capsize remanded 3 days over drug offence
Magistrate Nurliyana Md Zukri issued a remand order against the skipper at the Setiu magistrates' court. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The skipper of a boat that capsized in rough waters near Pulau Perhentian Besar on Saturday night has been remanded for three days until Wednesday in connection with a separate drug-related case. The 22-year-old tested positive for drugs following the accident, police said. He also has a record of five criminal offences. According to Berita Harian, magistrate Nurliyana Md Zukri issued the remand order at the Setiu magistrates' court under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug use. The boat, which was carrying 15 passengers aged between three and 40, was en route from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar when it capsized at around 10.30pm. Three people died at the scene: S Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter Sarrvihka, and a 10-year-old relative, V Vennpani. A six-year-old child remains in critical condition and is being treated in the intensive care unit of Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu. Initial police investigations revealed that none of the passengers was wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
Free Malaysia Today
30-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
T'ganu govt to propose revoking licences of negligent tourist boat operators
There are 628 licensed tourist boat operators in Terengganu, operating around resort islands such as Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Lang Tengah. KUALA TERENGGANU : The Terengganu government will submit a proposal to the marine department for the revocation or suspension of licences for tourist boat operators or skippers found to be involved in accidents because of negligence. State tourism, culture, environment and climate change committee chairman Razali Idris said the proposed move was to serve as a lesson and reinforce the importance of ensuring tourist safety. He said there were 628 licensed tourist boat operators in Terengganu, operating around resort islands such as Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Lang Tengah. 'In Terengganu, 70% of the tourism sector is focused along the coast and islands. As such, we work closely with strategic partners like the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the marine department, with whom we hold regular engagement sessions to strengthen enforcement and related matters. 'Following the recent accident at Pulau Perhentian, which claimed three lives, we will submit a proposal to the marine department to revoke or suspend the licences of any boat operators or skippers found to be negligent. 'The decision to revoke or suspend will depend on the specifics of each case,' he said at a press conference at Wisma Darul Iman today. Razali said the state government, together with other enforcement agencies, would increase on-site visits to provide tourism operators with clearer guidance on the SOPs for managing passengers and tourists. He also said boat operators were encouraged to provide safety briefings to passengers prior to departure. 'There have also been cases where tourists fail to wear life jackets. That's why we've held numerous engagement sessions with the relevant agencies and tourism operators to reinforce the importance of adhering to safety SOPs. 'Sometimes, the SOPs are in place but they are not followed, leading to unfortunate incidents. In the recent boat capsizing case, we identified three serious violations by the operator: exceeding the passenger limit, failure to ensure that life jackets were worn, and, most concerning, the use of prohibited substances,' he said. S Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter A Sarrvihka, and a 10-year-old relative, V Vennpani, lost their lives in the 10.30pm incident on Saturday. Two others were injured, one critically, while 10 passengers survived. The boat passengers, aged between three and 40, were returning from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar after dinner when their boat was suddenly struck by large waves, causing it to capsize. Yesterday, Besut district police chief Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu said that the boat skipper tested positive for drugs and had a record of five criminal offences related to banned substances.
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Families of Pulau Perhentian boat tragedy victims prepare for final rites, request privacy amid grief
KUALA TERENGGANU, June 29 — The remains of three family members who drowned when their boat capsized off Pulau Perhentian, Besut, on Saturday night will be taken home to Butterworth, Penang, and Sungai Petani, Kedah, for their final rites. Special Officer (Non Islamic Affairs) to the Terengganu Menteri Besar, Dr K. Balachandran, said post mortem examinations and other formalities for S. Arumugam (40), his daughter A. Sarrvihka (three) and their relative V. Vennpani (10) were completed at about 4.30pm today. 'The bodies of the father and daughter will be sent to Butterworth, while the third victim will be taken to Sungai Petani. 'A family member informed us that the 15 passengers, from four related families, had arrived for a holiday last Friday and were due to travel back to Sungai Petani and Butterworth today,' he said when met at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) Forensic Unit. According to Balachandran, the family had finished dinner on Pulau Perhentian Kecil and were heading to Pulau Perhentian Besar when their boat was hit by strong waves and overturned, claiming three lives. Balachandran said surviving passengers and the families of the deceased are still traumatised and have requested privacy. 'They are not ready to speak to anyone, including the media, but they have expressed gratitude to all agencies and volunteers who assisted,' he added. The incident occurred at about 10.30 pm on Saturday. The boat was carrying 15 passengers aged between three and 40. Three people died, while one passenger remains in critical condition in HSNZ's Intensive Care Unit. — Bernama
