MMEA rescues six from sinking boat near Kunak, Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Six individuals, including two children, were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) after their fibreglass boat began leaking off the waters of Pulau Timbun Mata in Kunak, Sabah.
The vessel, delivering reverse osmosis water supplies to a General Operations Force (GOF) post, reportedly struck a floating log, causing a breach.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, stated that the emergency call was received at 1.45pm on Sunday via the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Kota Kinabalu.
"A patrol boat, Banggi 45, was immediately dispatched and located all six victims near Pulau Batik, Kunak. Due to shallow waters, a portable pump was used to assist in the rescue," he said.
Three of the victims – Lajim Paisal, 37, and his two children, aged 10 and six – were safely transported back to the Lahad Datu Fisheries Jetty.
The other three – Adim Salemu, 42, Aswan Mohd Akram, 29, and Fauzi Saikula, 30 – stayed behind to assist with repairs and returned safely to shore at 2am on Monday (July 21).
No injuries were reported.
Dzulfikhar urged boat operators to ensure all crew members and passengers wear life jackets while at sea. "This is not just a standard operating procedure, but a critical step in preventing loss of life," he emphasised.
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