Anwar orders a thorough probe into the Beaufort electrocution that killed three police officers, extending condolences to their families and PDRM.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent and immediate investigation into the deaths of three police personnel who were believed to have been electrocuted in Beaufort, Sabah, today.
Expressing his condolences, Anwar said improvements must be made to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
“My deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire PDRM fraternity.
“Their service and sacrifice in safeguarding the nation’s peace and security will always be remembered,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, media reports said three policemen were killed after being electrocuted at Jalan Weston, Kampung Weston, Beaufort, in an incident believed to have occurred while they were attempting to pick coconuts.
The incident occurred at about 5.50pm when a metal pole they were using to reach the coconuts reportedly lost balance and came into contact with an overhead electricity cable.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said preliminary investigations found that the three personnel had gone to collect coconuts before the incident occurred.
He said two of the officers who were nearby attempted to help their colleague but were also electrocuted.
The victims were identified as Corporal Chiu Teck Siong, 40; Corporal Mohamad Nur Hafiz Ibrahim, 29; and Constable Muhammad Raimi Ismarubee, 26.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene before their bodies were taken to Beaufort Hospital for further procedures.
Police have opened an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident, while post-mortem examinations will be conducted before the bodies are released to their families.
The Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at 5.56pm and dispatched a team from the Beaufort Fire and Rescue Station to the scene.
Sabah Electricity later disconnected the power supply in the area to enable rescue operations to be carried out safely. The operation concluded at 7.45pm.
