Najib orders detailed probe on express boat tragedy

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has ordered the relevant authorities to carry out a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the express boat tragedy in Sungai Rajang, Sarawak on Tuesday.

He also called on all operators of ferry services to always be responsible on the aspects of safety to avoid a repetition of the tragedy.

"I have ordered for a thorough investigation on the tragedy to be carried out and I call on all ferry operators to always be responsible," he said in his Facebook, here today.

Expressing his sadness at the tragedy, the Prime Minister said all Malaysians sympathised with the families of the victims who died in the incident.

He added that Malaysians also prayed for the safety of everyone.

"I am most saddened by the tragedy in Sungai Rajang, Sarawak. All Malaysians sympathised with the families of the victims who died in the tragedy. We always pray for the safety of everyone," he said.

Najib also took the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the operation to rescue victims of the tragedy.

In the incident on May 28, the Kawan Mas express boat which carried more than 200 passengers was said to be travelling from Bakun to Kapit when it struck a rock and sunk in Jeram Tukok/Jeram Bungan between 8.30 am and 9 am.