“I Felt Hopeless Even In My Own Country” — Boat Tragedy Survivor Speaks After Losing Daughter

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Two months after a boat capsized off Pulau Perhentian, which claimed three lives, the surviving victims have spoken out about the incident and the alleged slow emergency response

The tragedy, which occurred on the night of 28 June, took the lives of Arumugam Sativelo, 40; his daughter, Sarrvihka Arumugam, 3; and Vennpani Vijeya Raj, 10.

The victim families stressed that they do not want the tragedy to become "just another piece of news", but rather a turning point that sparks real change to prevent similar tragedies.

The group of 15, made up of four families with seven children on a school reunion trip, was returning from dinner on Pulau Perhentian Kecil to their resort on Pulau Perhentian Besar when their boat capsized during a storm around 10.30pm.

Speaking to SAYS, the families rejected claims by the boat operator that they had insisted on travelling despite the bad weather.

Instead, they said they trusted the boatman, who had urged them to rush to the jetty and board the boat before the storm worsened.

They also pointed to a sign advertising night water taxi rides, with fares doubling to RM40 per person after 7pm.

They said this gave them no reason to believe the service was unsafe.

In hindsight, they questioned whether the night service was even legal, noting that locals later told them it was allegedly prohibited and a disaster waiting to happen.

"We didn't know if it was illegal or that tourists weren't allowed to take it. We just went with whatever was being promoted and took the package," said Nishata, speaking on behalf of one of the families.

Locals also claimed that these boat operators often refused to provide life jackets on night trips to avoid being caught by marine police, as operating after dark is believed to be unlawful.

The families further claimed that their boatman appeared more eager to finish the trip quickly so he could "return to partying". He was reportedly seen smoking shisha at a night gathering shortly before taking them out to sea.

On 3 July, the 22-year-old boatman, Azrie Yazid, pleaded guilty to drug use and had his licence suspended.

When the boat capsized, their nightmare only worsened.

The families described the emergency response as disorganised and critically delayed, leaving them reliant on locals and foreign tourists for help.

Nalini, who lost her daughter, recalled feeling devastated.

"I was stranded… I felt helpless even in my own country," she said, adding that the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrived around 3am — more than four hours after the tragedy.

They claimed marine police personnel arrived around 7am to transport the bodies and survivors.

While waiting for rescue teams to arrive, foreign tourists performed CPR on the victims and used scuba tanks to provide oxygen to the injured.

At the time, the families chose not to confront the authorities over what they described as a dangerously delayed response, focusing instead on saving lives.

Sangita, who lost her husband and 3-year-old daughter, described her pain as "really deep" and "unbearable", breaking down in tears during the interview

The families also urged the government to address what they described as critical gaps in medical infrastructure on the island.

They stressed that most tourists are unaware of the serious risks they face if they fall ill or are injured on Pulau Perhentian, given the lack of proper emergency services.

According to a family member, Pulau Perhentian Besar — a popular tourist island with at least three resorts — has no clinic or medical aid.

The nearest medical facility is located on the opposite island, requiring a boat ride across the sea, which becomes impossible during storms.

The families said they have lodged complaints with several government agencies, including the Marine Department, MMEA, and the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry, but have yet to receive a "convincing response".

While the boatman has been punished for drug use, the families say true accountability for the negligence that led to the deaths remains unaddressed.

They hope their story will not only bring justice but also prevent similar tragedies in the future, while highlighting the dangers of inadequate medical facilities at Malaysia's tourist destinations.

When contacted by SAYS, an investigating officer confirmed the case is still under investigation.