LAHAD DATU: Police have confirmed that 15 individuals, comprising four foreign guides and 11 palm oil factory workers conducting an authorised river hiking activity, were involved in the Lembah Maksina water surge incident in Makuau, Tungku, near here yesterday.
Lahad Datu district police chief ACP Dzulbaharin Ismail said the river hiking activity did not receive permission from the Sabah Forestry Department or the fire department, and notifications about the activity were not provided to the police.
The incident claimed the lives of two factory workers and a guide who were found drowned this morning.
“The fire department rescued nine factory workers after receiving information from the three guides. All 12 victims consisting of three women and nine men,” he told reporters here today.
Dzulbaharin said investigations found that the Sabah Forestry Department had stopped activities in the area as they were uncontrolled and challenging.
“The river hiking activity requires participants to walk in water, swim, wear life jackets, and must be assisted if they are unable to proceed, using ropes. It is not a typical hiking activity where you climb up and down hills using walking sticks…quite challenging,” he said.
He advised the public who wish to engage in water-related extreme activities to check the current weather, exercise caution, and pay attention to notices at the location.
“…the activity was conducted in a forest reserve area in the Silabukan Forest Reserve where entry is strictly prohibited, and additional notices have been issued…involving Sungai Merabung and Sungai Makuau,” he said.
Dzulbaharin said if activities in Lembah Maksina are not curbed, similar incidents may recur, adding that the police do not have the authority to control activities in the area as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Sabah Forestry Department.
