BEAUFORT - Three policemen died after suffering electric shocks in Kampung Weston, here, on Aug 6.
The deceased officers were identified as Chiu Teck Siong, 40, from Sarawak; Mohamad Nur Hafiz Ibrahim, 29, from Kelantan; and Muhammad Raimi Ismarubee, 26, from Terengganu.
Beaufort District Police Chief Superintendent Champin Piuh said the incident occurred at around 5.50pm when the three victims were plucking coconuts using an eight-metre metal pole.
"When they finished plucking the coconuts and wanted to move and lower the pole, one of them lost balance. The pole fell in the opposite direction of the coconut tree and struck the main electrical cable.
"This caused electrical current to flow through the metal pole, shocking all three victims," Champin said, adding that the ground condition at the location was peat soil with stagnant water.
Emergency Response Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Aziz said a distress call was received at 5.56pm, prompting a team from the Beaufort Fire and Rescue Station located 28km away to deploy to the scene.
"According to witnesses, the victims were plucking coconuts using a metal pole and hit an electrical cable. Bystanders used two dry powder fire extinguishers prior to the arrival of the fire department," Pisar said.
Firemen cordoned off the area before Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (Sabah Electricity) cut off the power supply, allowing emergency personnel to retrieve the bodies and hand them over to police.
Burial Arrangements
The remains were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for autopsies.
Following the completion of documentation, the bodies will be sent back to their respective hometowns in Sarawak, Kelantan and Terengganu, accompanied by officers from Beaufort Police Headquarters.
Investigations Underway
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun confirmed the incident and said the officers involved were stationed at the Weston police station.
"Police have opened an investigation paper to determine the exact cause of the incident. Autopsies will be conducted before the remains are handed over to the next of kin," Jauteh said when contacted.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim directed a thorough, transparent and immediate investigation into the incident to identify its cause and prevent similar tragedies.
"I have asked for an investigation to be conducted thoroughly, transparently and immediately to identify the cause of this tragic incident. Improvements must be made so that a tragedy like this does not recur," Anwar said in a Facebook post, while offering condolences to the victims' families and the police force.
Sabah Electricity confirmed it is conducting its own investigation and urged the public not to speculate on the incident.
"Sabah Electricity's technical team was immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving information to ensure the area was safe," the utility company stated, adding it is fully cooperating with authorities.
Tributes
Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Assistant Minister and Lumadan assemblyman Datuk Ruslan Muharam, alongside Assistant Minister to the Sabah Chief Minister and Klias assemblyman Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, visited Beaufort Hospital to pay their last respects.
Ruslan described the incident as a major loss to the community, extending his condolences to the families and law enforcement personnel.