SIBU: It was a sombre evening as family and friends gathered for the funeral of the last Kapit boat tragedy victim, Constable Iskandar Ibrahim, today.
The deceased’s wife, Anis Nur Ezzati, along with Iskandar’s parents and 12 siblings, bid their final farewell amidst heavy rain around 5 pm at Kemuyang Muslim Cemetery here.
His remains were taken to the cemetery after the funeral prayers at Jabal An-Nur Bleteh Mosque in Kapit, about three hours away.
Iskandar, who hailed from Kelantan, had served in PDRM Kapit for two years and four months.
Also present at the funeral to pay their last respects were Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata and his wife, Datin Jennita William, who is the Sarawak Perkep chairwoman.
Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili, Kapit police chief Rohana Nanu, Dalat District police chief Saga Chungat, Song District police chief Rowney Michael Jalak, and others were also seen.
The tragic incident occurred on March 7 around 5 pm when five passengers, including Iskandar, boarded a boat carrying 35kg of explosives and detonators from Kuching to Nanga Tulie.
According to a statement by Rohana, the boat veered slightly upstream and encountered a whirlpool, leading to it capsizing.
“One passenger, identified as 47-year-old Moses Ngui, was rescued by members of the public, while the remaining four went missing,” she said.
The four missing individuals were identified as 28-year-old Constable Iskandar, 51-year-old Sgt Jonathan Lambet, and civilians 44-year-old Jack Balan and 47-year-old Amerson John Nain.
On March 9, authorities successfully located and recovered the bodies of Sgt Jonathan, Jack, and Amerson at three separate locations.
