Perhentian boat tragedy: Police probe capsizing, skipper tests positive for drugs
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 10.30 pm 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
41 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Kedah cops seize almost RM300,000 worth of ganja
JITRA: Kedah police thwarted attempts to smuggle about 93.77 kilogrammes (kg) of ganja valued at RM290,600 and arrested four men in separate raids around Bukit Kayu Hitam from July 30 to Aug 2. Kedah police chief CP Adzli Abu Shah said that in the first raid, at Taman Lama Ladang Rakyat Laka Temin, Bukit Kayu Hitam on July 30, they arrested an 18-year-old and seized three black plastic packets containing 55 packages of suspected ganja weighing about 57,352.85 grammes (g) in a bush area. "Following the arrest, in the second raid, on July 31, we found two black plastic bags containing 35 packages of ganja weighing 36,414g near the first location. No arrests were made. "From the information gathered, we conducted a third raid at 9 pm the same day and arrested a 19-year-old in a car near a petrol station in Changlun. "The fourth raid was carried out at 5pm on Aug 2, where we arrested two more syndicate members, aged 24 and 28, at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex," he told reporters here yesterday. The seized drugs are believed to be enough to supply over 187,000 addicts, he added. He said three of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine and had previous drug-related records, and all the suspects have been remanded between four and six days to assist in investigations under Section 39B and Section 15 (1) (A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. – BERNAMA
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Five foreigners nabbed for allegedly robbing 'hypnotised' tourists in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Police have arrested five Middle Eastern nationals in its investigation into the theft of money from several foreign tourists who were allegedly hypnotised (pukau) in the city centre here. Penang acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said three men and two women, including a married couple, all aged from 19 to 35, were detained at the Gurney Plaza area under Ops Tourist. "Between July 30 and Aug 1, we received three reports of cash thefts involving tourists from Taiwan, the Netherlands and Syria, aged from 29 to 52, in the Pulau Tikus and Jalan Penang areas. "A team from the Timur Laut criminal investigation division as well as the Pulau Tikus and Central police stations conducted an operation and detained the five Middle Eastern suspects," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 3). He added that police also seized multiple foreign currencies, two vehicles, and a packet of ganja. Mohd Alwi said preliminary urine tests revealed that two of the suspects tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). He said the group's modus operandi was to approach foreign tourists for a conversation before asking them to reveal the cash in their possession. "The suspects will then take the money and leave the scene. It is reported that victims only realise their money is gone after the suspects leave," he said. He said all the suspects have been remanded for four days until Aug 6 and the case is being investigated under sections 379 and 380 of the Penal Code and sections 6 and 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Alwi said they are committed to ensuring the safety of locals and tourists, and advised the public to be vigilant when dealing with unknown individuals, as well as to safeguard their valuables at all times. He added that anyone with information can contact the Penang criminal investigation department operations room at 04-222 1624 or the nearest police station. – Bernama
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Five foreigners arrested for tourist thefts in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Police yesterday arrested five Middle Eastern nationals in connection with thefts targeting foreign tourists in Penang. The suspects, comprising three men and two women aged between 19 and 35, were detained in the Gurney Plaza area under Op Tourist. Penang acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin stated that three police reports were filed between July 30 and August 1 involving tourists from Taiwan, the Netherlands, and Syria. The victims, aged 29 to 52, reported cash thefts in the Pulau Tikus and Jalan Penang areas. 'Acting on information, a team from the Timur Laut District Police Headquarters Criminal Investigation Division, Pulau Tikus Police Station, and the Central Police Station conducted an operation and detained the five suspects,' Mohd Alwi said. Police also seized foreign currencies, two vehicles, and a packet of ganja. Preliminary urine tests revealed that two suspects tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The group allegedly targeted tourists by engaging them in conversation before asking them to reveal their cash. 'The suspects discreetly took the money and left the scene. Victims only realised their money was missing afterward,' Mohd Alwi explained. All suspects have been remanded for four days until August 6. The case is being investigated under sections 379 and 380 of the Penal Code for theft and sections 6 and 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Mohd Alwi urged the public to remain vigilant when dealing with strangers and safeguard their valuables. Those with information can contact the Penang Criminal Investigation Department Operations Room at 04-222 1624 or the nearest police station. - Bernama
