History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
– Karl Marx, philosopher
It was a tragic start to the New Year for Sarawak. A four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle with nine people from two families plunged into Batang Lupar from the Triso ferry landing in Sri Aman last Friday.
No one survived the afternoon accident which claimed the lives of all nine persons, including a four-month-old baby.
Again, as in all tragedies, the most important question arises: could the tragedy have been avoided?
Allow me to give my two cents’ worth. Yes! It could have been averted if the authorities had not been lax and had enforced existing rules governing ferry operations.
Yes! Nine persons would have been alive now if only ferry users had not ignored the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for boarding and disembarking ferries.
Yes! Yes! Yes! If operators had paid attention to the SOPs and strictly enforced them!
I have used ferries on several occasions and I am aware of the SOPs which have been in existence for decades.
The two SOPs are:
• Passengers, with the exception of drivers, should get out of their vehicles when boarding and disembarking ferries.
• Drivers must comply with instructions from the guards at ferry ramps.
These two important procedures have been in place ever since ferry services were first introduced. I believe these rules are universal.
Everyone — the authorities, the passengers and the ferry operators — has an important role to ensure the SOPs are strictly enforced and adhered to.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing gave the reminder when he visited the site of the tragedy on Saturday.
Hopefully the DCM’s reminder will not be taken lightly. The problem with us is that we get into the act only when a tragedy strikes, or when lives are lost. This seems to be a Malaysian trademark!
The sad part is things will soon be forgotten and it’s back to the old habit. Oh gosh! When will we learn? Or will we ever?
It’s good to know that the authorities will erect guardrails at ferry landings throughout Sarawak to avoid a similar tragedy.
This should have been done a long time ago. But it took nine lives for them to realise it.
The Public Works Department has been tasked with erecting the guardrails — immediately. It’s understood that strong guardrails can prevent vehicles from plunging into the river. Most ferry landings overseas have these guardrails installed.
Friday’s tragedy reminds me of two other incidents. On March 13, 2019, a car driven by a senior citizen plunged into Sg Krian at the Saratok district ferry crossing and sank after the driver overshot the ferry landing before the ferry had even docked.
The driver was fortunate to escape with only slight injuries from the sinking vehicle before it disappeared into the river.
He was fished out of the water by those on the ferry. In his eagerness to board, he overshot the landing before the ferry arrived — a clear case of SOPs being ignored.
Another incident that remains vividly in my mind is the Tasik Biru tragedy where a trainee teacher and 29 students onboard were killed after the bus they were travelling in plunged into the lake 37 years ago. The tragedy still lingers in the minds of the people in Bau.
In that case on June 7, 1979, the bus carrying the teachers and students from SMK Lake, Bau went out of control and plunged into the lake.
The driver, conductor and several other students and teachers were rescued by residents who witnessed the incident.
The Triso ferry tragedy is more the reason for the state government to build bridges across rivers that currently rely on ferries.
The previous Pakatan Harapan government had reneged on its pledge to build several bridges in Sarawak, prompting Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari’s GPS coalition to step in with its own allocation amounting to RM3 billion. The ongoing Batang Lupar Bridge, for example, costs about RM800 million.
Meanwhile, there is a need for the government to conduct a thorough investigation into not only ferry services but all public transportation operators too, to prevent similar tragedies from haunting Sarawakians.
Charge the errant operators in court and give them the maximum penalty. They should not be allowed to get away scot-free.
Tan Sri Ramon V Navaratnam of Transparency International Malaysia observed that the lack of enforcement and observance of relevant preventive safety measures had time and again compromised the safety of Malaysians and tarnished the name of the country.
But of course, don’t let errant commuters off the hook. Charge those who fail to observe the SOPs in court. Let them spend some time behind bars.
