A file picture of rescuers searching the capsized 'Kawan Mas' express boat on the Rajang River in Sarawak.
KUCHING: Overloading was not the cause of the 'Kawan Mas' express boat tragedy on the Rajang River, instead, it was due to a "series of accidents", according to a report by the Sarawak Infrastructure Development and Communications Ministry.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin said on Tuesday the report had been submitted, which confirmed that overloading was not the cause of the capsize.
He said input from the police, marine department, Sarawak Rivers Board and express boat operators showed that the ill-fated boat - which was overloaded with over 200 passengers - capsized on May 28 due to a series of accidents, including hitting a log and developing engine failure that caused it to drift and hit a submerged rock.
"Following a recent meeting held in Sibu, the relevant authorities as well as ferry and express boat operators are directed to find a solution to avoid a similar accident," he said.
Some 213 passengers survived the accident, with two missing and one confirmed dead when the 'Kawan Mas' - licensed to carry only 64 passengers - capsized when ferrying people home for the annual Gawai Dayak festival.
He said there were no plans at the moment for boat operators to have extra vessels on standby during festive seasons as it was not economically viable.
One unit of express boat costs at least RM2mil, and there were only an average of seven to 11 passengers plying the Rajang River route on normal days.
It was also impossible to emulate the standard operating procedure of airlines to register passengers before boarding, as airlines catered for the high-end market in contrast to the ordinary village folk who depended on river transport, which was why no passenger manifest was available, he said. - Bernama
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