Family mourns loss of long-awaited child in Pulau Perhentian boat tragedy
"We waited so long for her arrival and never imagined that she would be taken from us so suddenly."
SHAH ALAM - The tragic loss of 10-year-old V. Vennpani in a boat capsize incident off Pulau Perhentian has plunged her family into deep grief, especially as she was a long-awaited and only child.
Her grandmother, T. Panjawarnam, 68, described Vennpani as the heart of the family and said they had waited years for her arrival.
She said Vennpani was very excited about the trip with her parents and other family members. They had departed for Terengganu on Friday morning.
"I was shocked and nearly fainted when I was informed she had died in the incident. It's very difficult to accept because I had cared for her since birth.
"We waited so long for her arrival and never imagined that she would be taken from us so suddenly," she told reporters in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
Vennpani was among three family members who perished on Saturday night when their boat capsized while returning from dinner on Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar.
The other victims were her relatives S. Arumugam, 40 and his three-year-old daughter A. Sarrvihka.
All passengers were from a group of 15 relatives on a family holiday.
The boat, which was carrying passengers aged between 3 and 40, was reportedly struck by strong waves at around 10.30pm, causing it to overturn.
It was revealed that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time and rough sea conditions, accompanied by rain and wind, have been cited as contributing factors.
More than 300 relatives and friends gathered at Vennpani’s home in Sungai Petani Heights to pay their last respects before her cremation in Kampung Serukam, today.
The bodies of Arumugam and his daughter were transported to Butterworth for their final rites.
The tragedy has sparked a deeper investigation by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), which has vowed to scrutinise the boat’s licensing, compliance with safety regulations and the circumstances of the journey.
"We will conduct an investigation, including contacting the victims involved and carrying out a detailed investigation in various aspects," said MMEA Director-General Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah.
In a disturbing development, it was revealed that the boat operator, a 22-year-old local man, tested positive for drugs and has five prior drug-related records.
He was arrested and remanded for three days to facilitate investigations under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said his team, together with the MMEA and Malaysian Marine Department, always collaborated to ensure law enforcement, including among tourist boat operators.
He also reminded all boat operators to ensure that all boat drivers were not involved in any crime, especially drug-related ones.
"This is because, based on the investigation, the boat driver has five previous criminal records related to drugs. So, the police and other agencies will continuously enhance law enforcement from now on," he said when met by reporters on June 29.
Maritime officials began a search and rescue operation shortly after receiving the distress call at 10.55pm on June 28.
The surviving passengers were brought ashore at the Besut Tourist Jetty and transferred to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu.
One passenger remained in critical condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
Special Officer (non-Islamic affairs) to the Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr K. Balachandran said the families of the victims were traumatised and have requested privacy.
As investigations continued, authorities have reminded boat operators to prioritise safety, check weather forecasts and ensure all passengers wear life jackets, especially in unpredictable sea conditions.
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