KAPIT, Oct 11 — A group of 159 survivors of the “Kawan Mas” express boat which sank at Giam Bungan in Belaga on May 28, today received their compassionate cash aid from the government.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who is the state Natural Disaster Management Committee chairman, handed over the aid from the National Security Council and Yasayan 1Malaysia, here.

Each of the survivors received RM1,000 while the families of three victims who died in the incident, received RM10,000 each.

Three locals who first came to the rescue of the survivors were given RM3,000 each.

Jabu in his speech said the state government had decided to stop the search and rescue operation after 24 days because of the very difficult and dangerous situation in the river.

“At the state Natural Disaster Management Committee meeting on June 19, we were advised by the police that “Kawan Mas” had sunk deeper and it was very risky for the divers to try to locate and refloat it.

Jabu said it had been established that 222 passengers had packed the Kapit/Sibu-bound ill-fated boat which sank at about 8.30am in the Rajang River after hitting a half-submerged log and consequently developing engine problem.

He said out of the number, 219 survived while three others died, adding that another 60 survivors would receive the aid next week.

Speaking to reporters later, Jabu said on the proposal to build a monument at the accident site, the government was prepared to listen to the proposal from the victims’ families.

On whether the government had plans to build a road to connect Belaga with Kapit, he said the government’s focus now was to build more roads in the state’s rural areas.

“In the Kapit division, the ongoing construction of a bridge across Balleh River is a good start,” he added. — Bernama