Rescuers retrieving the victim's body.
KOTA KINABALU: A foreign tourist drowned while eight others were rescued after their boat capsized off Sabah’s east coast Semporna district on Monday (Sept 4).
The incident occurred in Timba-Timba Island waters at about 10.10am.
Semporna police chief Supt Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said they had detained four men, a local aged 22 and three foreigners aged between 26 and 40, to help piece together the cause of the incident.
He said a police report was also lodged on the boat capsizing at 4pm on Monday.
“A 38-year-old man drowned," he added in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 5).
Supt Mohd Farhan said the suspects would be brought to a Magistrate’s Court for a remand order to help with the investigation.
Supt Mohd Farhan said the incident is being probed under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence.
Those found guilty face two years behind bars or a fine, or both, he added.
“We advise boat owners to be more careful by preparing safety equipment such as life jackets (on their boats),” he said.
He called on those with information pertaining to the incident to contact investigating officer Insp Khadijah Mohd Seruji at 019-8718002 or the nearest police station.
