Latest news with #RoyalSelangorYachtClub
CNA
08-06-2025
- CNA
Port Klang boat capsize: Bodies of missing couple found, teen survivor recounts horror
KLANG: The bodies of a missing couple from the tragic boat capsize in the waters off Port Klang, Selangor, were found on Sunday (Jun 8) morning as the sole survivor recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the incident. 'The incident happened very fast,' 17-year-old Alvin Chang Yan Qin told the media on Saturday, a day after he was rescued. According to Lieutenant Mohd Syafiq Sazali of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), patrol teams found the two missing bodies at around 7.45am on Sunday as search and rescue operations resumed, reported local news outlet the New Straits Times (NST). 'Both bodies were found floating, approximately 200m apart,' Syafiq told reporters after the victims' bodies were brought ashore at the Selangor MMEA Jetty. They are the parents of a three-year-old boy who was earlier found dead along with two other Malaysians after the boat capsized on Friday afternoon. Chang, the only survivor among the six, said that the tragedy happened when the boat made a U-turn about 30 minutes after departing from the Royal Selangor Yacht Club dock. 'The incident happened very quickly when the relatively fast-moving boat suddenly overturned and in less than 10 seconds, water had entered all compartments of the boat,' Chang said at the Selangor maritime agency office on Saturday, as quoted by Free Malaysia Today (FMT). Selangor maritime director Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh earlier said that the boat was believed to have lost control before capsizing about 0.3 nautical miles west of Tanjung Harapan. 'The situation inside the boat became chaotic, but I saved myself by trying to swim before managing to sit on top of the overturned boat,' Chang added. The teen told the media that he could only scream for help after realising he could no longer see the other passengers. About five minutes of holding on to the boat, fishermen in another boat rescued him, before calling the authorities for assistance. The missing victims are believed to be test-driving the boat, which was recently repaired, NST reported earlier. 'I understand this was the second test run for the boat and before this the boat was found to be in overall good condition,' he was quoted as saying by FMT. The final two victims were earlier identified as Gan Hon Tat, 32, and his wife Carren Man, 29, both from Klang Utama in Selangor. Their three-year-old son Darren Gan was among the three found dead in the front compartment of the boat, alongside family friends Cheu Son Hin, 50, and Fong Yong Sen, 29, also from Klang Utama. It is still unclear how Chang, the only survivor, is related to the other victims. When the boat was successfully refloated by rescuers on Saturday, the couple was not inside, said Port Klang Fire and Rescue Department Haikal Jammy Ngali at a press conference earlier on Saturday, according to Bernama. This strengthened the fire department's theory that the missing victims drifted away with the current, he said. Haikal also did not rule out the possibility that the married couple was thrown overboard during the capsize, FMT reported. Police chief S Vijaya earlier said it is believed that all the victims were not wearing life jackets, which made the search-and-rescue effort more difficult. Initial investigations also found that the boat was operated by its owner at the time, he told FMT. The boat is believed to belong to Cheu, according to The Star. A woman who identified herself only as Hung, and claimed to be Cheu's widow, told The Star that the boat did not have any issues. She said that the first test drive had gone smoothly and the boat capsized during the second attempt on Friday.
Free Malaysia Today
07-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Everything happened so fast, says boat capsize survivor
Workers lifting up the wreckage of the boat which overturned in the waters of Tanjung Harapan, Selangor, yesterday. (Bernama pic) KLANG : Everything happened very fast, boat tragedy survivor Chang Yan Qin Alvin, 17, said today after being rescued from a boat which capsized and sank off Tanjung Harapan yesterday. Two people and a toddler died in the incident, while a couple is still missing. Chang, one of six people who survived, said the tragedy occurred when the boat made a U-turn about 30 minutes after departing from the Royal Selangor Yacht Club dock. 'The incident happened very quickly when the relatively fast-moving boat suddenly overturned, and in less than 10 seconds, water had entered all compartments of the boat,' he told reporters at the Selangor maritime agency office today. 'The situation inside the boat became chaotic, but I saved myself by trying to swim before managing to sit on top of the overturned boat.' Chang said he could only scream for help after realising other passengers were not visible and after about five minutes of holding on to the boat, fishermen in another boat approached and rescued him. They contacted the authorities for assistance. 'I understand that this was the second test run for the boat, and before this, the boat was found to be in overall good condition,' he said. Family members saying prayers for victims of the boat capsize in Tanjung Harapan. A toddler and two people died, while a married couple is missing. (Bernama pic) The tragedy took place at about 5pm yesterday. The missing victims have been identified as Gan Hon Tat, 32, and his wife, Careen Man, 29, both from Klang Utama. Their three-year-old son, Darren, was among the three found dead in the front compartment of the boat, alongside family friends Cheu Son Hin, 50, and Fong Yong Sen, 29, also from Klang Utama. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency operations officer Syafiq Sazali said the boat was partially refloated at 2.20pm today, after which the team began pumping out the water. Missing victims 'swept away' The fire and rescue department has not ruled out the possibility that two missing victims were swept away by currents while the boat was being towed to the Selangor maritime jetty. Port Klang fire and rescue chief Haikal Jammy Ngali said the capsized boat was towed by a public boat for about 500m before a distress call was received at around 5pm. He said the department also did not rule out the possibility that the victims, a married couple, were thrown overboard during the capsize. Klang Utara police chief S Vijaya Rao said the police had not found any clues regarding the two missing victims even though the search radius covered an area of five nautical miles. He said all the victims were believed not to be wearing life jackets, which made the search and rescue effort more difficult. He said initial investigations also revealed that the boat, which was being test-driven, was operated by its owner at the time.
New Straits Times
07-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Police probe boat tragedy off Tanjung Harapan that claimed three lives
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.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
MBDK rolls out comprehensive clean up strategy
PELABUHAN KLANG: The Royal Klang City Council (MBDK) has outlined a range of integrated approaches to tackle cleanliness issues, particularly in high-risk areas such as the Klang River estuary. MBDK Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said the steps include the establishment of the Klang District Cleanliness Task Force to coordinate cleaning strategies, strengthen enforcement and encourage community participation. He said the council is placing particular focus on key areas such as the royal protocol roads, the city centre, tourist spots, major thoroughfares, the Port Klang Cruise Terminal and riverbanks. 'A short-term cleanliness action plan has also been developed to enhance the implementation of cleaning programmes in a more structured, systematic and targeted manner,' he said at the River Cleaning Programme held at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club today. Abd Hamid said the proposed Klang River Clean-Up 2025 will be implemented in phases to address water pollution and floating waste. 'The total estimated cost exceeds RM4 million, including periodic maintenance over several months, reflecting MBDK's strong commitment to long-term cleanliness efforts. 'The council also allocates nearly RM100 million annually for solid waste management and public cleaning in Klang. However, cleanliness is not the sole responsibility of local authorities. It is a collective duty that must be shared by all,' he said. Abd Hamid noted that today's programme was part of MBDK's efforts in support of the Selangor Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's call to improve the cleanliness of the district, particularly at the river estuary. He added that the area around the Royal Selangor Yacht Club was selected for its strategic location, which is the final stretch of the river before it flows into the Strait of Malacca, an area previously polluted by substantial waste accumulation. A total of 500 volunteers from state agencies, fishermen's associations and non-governmental organisations took part in the clean-up, using 30 sampan boats to cover a 22-kilometre stretch of the river estuary.
The Star
26-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Bringing tide of revival to Selangor new villages
STEP into Bagan Hailam fishing village in North Port of Port Klang, Selangor, and you're transported to a bygone era. Its creaky wooden platforms bring a touch of rustic charm while the salty sea breeze evokes a sense of nostalgia. On a sunny morning, elderly residents sip tea on their porch, watching the world go by, a stark contrast to the village's bustling past between the 1940s and 1960s. 'Bagan Hailam had its peak population around that period, with about 2,000 villagers,' recalled village chief Loo Cheng Boon. 'Many here were fishermen, but now, only about 400 villagers remain.' Believed to have been established by Hainanese immigrants some 120 years ago, Bagan Hailam stretches 1.5km along Sungai Klang. Once accessible only by rowboat from the opposite riverbank where the Royal Selangor Yacht Club now stands, paved roads were built in the 1980s due to North Port's expansion. However, like many of Selangor's smaller rural communities, Bagan Hailam has seen a population decline. Younger generations, seeking better work opportunities, have moved away. Cheng Boon says most of the people in Bagan Hailam used to be fishermen but now, there are only about 400 residents. 'It used to be a thriving fishing hub,' Cheng Boon explained, 'but more villagers began fishing at Pulau Ketam, where yields are richer and which is closer to the mainland. 'They would work there and return to Bagan, but eventually many relocated permanently.' This exodus even led to the 2010 closure of SJK (C) Wu Teck, a primary school established in the 1980s, due to a lack of pupils. Cheng Boon remembers a time when the village used to be quite busy in the daytime. 'Fishing boats would dock at the jetty and fishermen would be busy unloading their sea bounty. 'Young kids would run around at the jetty or the wooden platform and get ready to head to the only primary school. 'Coffeeshops here would be abuzz with villagers enjoying their breakfast while chatting with each other. 'In the evening, the seafood restaurant by the sea also provides one of the best views of the sunset. 'The view is still good and a lot of locals and tourists still dine at the restaurant while enjoying the sunset,' he said. These days, Bagan Hailam only bursts into life during festive seasons. 'Those who have moved away return to visit their families,' he added. 'When local temples celebrate deity birthdays, the village becomes livelier.' Bagan Hailam used to be a bustling fishing village. Today, only a handful of families still fish, while others run coffeeshops or enjoy retirement. The village is now particularly known for its fresh seafood, especially Hainanese-style grilled crabs. A shared decline Further north in Selangor, Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai in Bestari Jaya tells a similar tale, albeit with a different landscape. This village has also witnessed a slow retreat of its once-thriving population. Village chief Chiang Yoke Leong remembers a vibrant past. Villager Amy Lew (left), who runs a mulberry farm in Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai, and Chiang (third from right) showing the mulberry trees to residents from the nearby Malay village. — Filepic Between the 1960s and 1990s, the area was home to the world's largest dredger, thanks to a booming tin mining industry. 'Back then, we had around 7,000 to 10,000 Chinese residents,' he said. The industry's downturn in the 1980s led to a population drop, with many seeking work elsewhere. 'There are still a fair number of villagers working in agriculture, like oil palm,' Chiang noted. However, when major glove manufacturer Hartalega decommissioned its Bestari Jaya facility in 2023, the population dropped further to around 690 residents. 'Several houses in the village are either abandoned or vacant,' Chiang said. This decline has hit businesses along Jalan Besar, the main road, with many shops closing due to the dwindling number of customers. 'They relied on nearby villages for business, but if the drop in population continues, even more will shut down.' He also highlighted the social impact: some elderly villagers live alone as their children or relatives work in Kuala Lumpur or other cities. 'Many senior citizens continue to stay on here after retiring as this is where they grew up. 'Some of the villagers, who are grandparents, would have family members visiting occasionally, while others stay alone as relatives would visit only during festive season.' This has had some unfortunate consequences. 'There have been as many as five cases where villagers passed away without others realising,' he revealed. 'Their deaths were only discovered when a stench began to emerge from their homes. 'It is quite sad to see that these senior citizens have no one to rely on so we try to promote some community programmes to them so they can stay connected and engaged,' Chiang said. Community-led revival Despite facing a decline in population, community-driven initiatives are breathing new life into both Bagan Hailam and Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai. Chiang initiated a mulberry tree planting project in Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai to give elderly residents, particularly those living alone, a renewed sense of purpose. The main street in Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai sees little traffic due to the decline in population and closure of shops. Collaborating with a local mulberry farmer, he has taught villagers how to grow the trees and distributed saplings. 'More villagers are interested in planting mulberries, and even neighbouring villages have asked for saplings,' he shared. 'The project has strengthened ties within the village and with nearby communities. 'If it continues to grow, it could become a tourism product, showcasing how mulberries are used in jams, teas and other food items.' Chiang believes the village's strategic location along the route from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Selangor could attract tourists as a stopover for mulberry-based products. In Bagan Hailam, beautification efforts began around 2019 through a state government initiative called the 'Breathe New Life' project. Village secretary Vincent Loo explained that the project focused on removing rubbish, especially from beneath the stilt houses. 'We are at the lowest point of Sungai Klang, so rubbish tends to collect along the shore,' he noted. 'The project raised awareness among villagers and tourists about keeping the area clean. 'It also introduced recycling efforts, and we've seen gradual improvements since.' Thanks to this initiative, villagers have built a recycling centre and a mini-library, which now serve as a community space. Tourism as a lifeline Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling told StarMetro that the agency was actively promoting a New Village Cultural Tourism programme, set to launch in the final quarter of the year. 'These new villages and fishing villages have their own charm. An elderly woman at her home in Bagan Hailam. Most of the children and relatives of senior citizens here only return to the village for major Chinese festivities. 'We aim to highlight their unique local products and turn them into 'Fiesta Kampung Baru' experiences.' Chua says Tourism Selangor is planning to launch tourism programmes involving new villages, which should appeal to many. The goal is to offer tourists a taste of each village's unique food and culture, promoting them across Selangor. 'While discussions involving all 77 villages in Selangor are ongoing, we expect to finalise plans by the end of this month.' Chua believes the nostalgic atmosphere of these villages would appeal to many, reminding them of their childhood. 'These villages are perfect for weekend getaways and are ideal for small groups,' she said. 'Even many Selangor residents have never visited these new villages. 'With 'Surprising Selangor' as this year's Visit Selangor Year theme, these hidden gems will offer a memorable experience.' Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) village liaison officer Tony Cheong categorises the state's villages into new villages, fishing villages, and organically formed settlements. A quaint coffeeshop in the Bagan Hailam fishing village is one of the few businesses still in operation. New Villages, he explained, were established during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960) as part of a resettlement programme, while Bagan villages grew from fishing activities. Cheong: We cannot stop changes that come with time but we can work with residents to preserve and promote these villages. Cheong acknowledges that halting population decline is a challenge. 'Some villages do better than others, such as Serdang New Village, which benefits from its proximity to the city,' he observed. 'We cannot stop the changes that come with time, but we can work with residents to preserve and promote what makes these villages unique.' When asked about the possibility of entire villages being abandoned, Cheong believes such a scenario is unlikely within the next 50 years. 'If that were to happen, the state might plan new developments for the site,' he added.
