Three government officers die while water rafting in Perak as monsoon season approaches
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The incident was believed to have been triggered by heavy rain, which led to a sudden rise in the water level of the river.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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IPOH, Perak – Three Public Works Department (JKR) officers drowned during a water rafting activity in a river in Kampar, Perak, on Nov 15.
The Perak Fire and Rescue director Sayani Saidon said her department received a call at 5.56pm.
“The victims were part of a team-building programme involving 22 participants from Central Seberang Perai (SPT), Penang, and Langkawi Public Works Department, along with six guides who went down to the river area starting at 3.30pm.
“Upon arrival, there were three victims who drowned and were lifted to the river bank by the public,” she said in a statement.
She said the rafting route was 6km long, and the victims were swept away about 4km into the journey.
She added that all three victims were pronounced dead by the health ministry.
Separately, she said that based on the records, there have been two drowning incidents involving rafting activities in the same river.
“The first occurred in September 2019, involving one victim, while the second was reported in May 2021, also involving one victim,” she added.
The Nov 15 tragedy was believed to have been triggered by continuous heavy rain, which led to a sudden rise in the water level of Sungai Jahang, resulting in a boat carrying six passengers and a guide capsizing.
The victims were identified as Mr Suhaili Mat Saad, 47, a district engineer with Seberang Perai Tengah JKR in Penang; Mr Mohamad Khairul Hakim Hamidi, 37, a senior assistant engineer at Langkawi JKR in Kedah; and Mr Muhammad Ikram Abdul Bari, 29, a customer service officer at Langkawi JKR.
All recreational and outdoor water sports activities on rivers in the Kampar district have since been suspended.
District officer Nazrul Fahmi Mohamad said the suspension includes water rafting and water tubing activities.
“The Kampar District Disaster Management Committee has decided that all recreational and outdoor activities are to be halted until further notice from the authorities,” he said in a statement.
Acting Perak police chief Zulkafli Sariaat said the order is to take effect immediately.
“We advise the public, as well as organisers, to exercise caution during water activities and to remain vigilant about weather conditions before proceeding,” he said in a statement on Nov 16. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
