Catamaran capsize: Welfare dept to promote aid, counselling to local's family

The Social Welfare Department will channel immediate assistance, via the Instant Relief Fund, to the family of a local who is reported missing following a tourist boat capsize last Saturday in the waters off Sabah.

Absol Kassim, 26, was among the crew of the catamaran which sank, along with 30 people, including 28 tourists from China while travelling to Pulau Mengalum from the Tanjung Aru jetty.

Sabah Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said the aid to be delivered tomorrow, was aimed at lightening the burden borne by Abhsoy's family.

"We will also offer counseling service to the family members," she told reporters after meeting the missing man's family members in the compound of a shopping centre near the marine police jetty here Sunday.

In a related development, Jainab said the ministry would urge government departments involved in managing disasters to strengthen their crisis management capability to effectively deal with every incident.

The search for Abhsoy who is among six people still reported missing in the catamaran boat tragedy is ongoing.

So far, 25 people have been accounted for, including three who perished in the incident.

- BERNAMA