JERTIH: Two children were among three killed after a boat capsized off Pulau Perhentian.

Besut OCPD Supt Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu said the deceased were identified as S. Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter A. Sarrvihka, and a relative, V. Venn­pani, aged 10.

The incident occurred at about 10.30pm on Saturday.

“The boat, carrying 15 passengers, had capsized during a storm,” Supt Azamuddin told a press conference yesterday, Bernama reported.

He said investigation showed that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets.

The boat skipper, a local man in his 20s, has been detained to assist in the investigation.

Supt Azamuddin said the man tested positive for drugs and has a record for drug-related offences.

State Malaysian Maritime Enfor­­cement Agency (Maritime) director Maritime Captain Hami­ludin Che Awang said his team mounted a search and rescue operation after being alerted about the incident at 10.55pm.

He said an investigation would be conducted to identify the exact cause of the incident.

Grim day:Familymembers ofthe victimsat Sultanahnur ZahirahHospital inKualaTerengganu.— Bernama

“Maritime Malaysia will also ensure that the safety aspects of sea transportation in the country, including in tourist areas, conti­nue to be improved.

“We call on all boat operators to comply with safety instructions and check the weather forecast before embarking on a journey,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Terengganu Men­tri Besar’s special officer (non-Islamic affairs) Dr K. Bala­chandran said the remains of the deceased will be taken to Butter­worth, Penang and Sungai  Petani, Kedah, for their final rites.

“A family member informed us that the 15 passengers, from four related families, had arrived for a holiday on Friday and were due to travel back to Sungai Petani and Butterworth yesterday,” he said.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, meanwhile, disclosed that the licence of the boat operator had expired.

He said that according to preliminary findings, both the travel agency and boat operator had violated several laws and regu­lations.

“These include operating with an expired licence since April and failing to ensure that passengers wore life jackets,” he said in a statement.

Tiong described the incident as gross negligence of safety since the travel agency had hired a boat­man with a drug and criminal record.

He issued a stern warning to all tour operators against compromi­sing on the safety of tourists while trying to make a profit.