The price of being Sumatran

They were charged up to RM500 to get over to the other side of the straits. This Raya, it seemed the draw of home was worth it. And cruel brokers - stoked by money and greed - decided cold cash meant much more than these lives. Sumatran lives.

They were squeezed into an 80-person-capacity wooden boat - 140 of them - pushed to the rim, and barely 15 minutes out into the benign waters, they learned that 80 means 80 and never the double of it. Twelve bodies have been found. Crew from larger boats nearby pulled 113 to safety.

In the news reports, there was no mention of the hands behind this cruel deal. No names mentioned. No mention of what efforts the police are taking to track down the sick businessmen. Will it just blow away?

Twelve Sumatrans died on the eve of Raya, the rest lost their livelihood. And though it may be a time for forgiveness, i am not quite in the mood for that. This case has to be fully investigated. The culprits' names must be revealed. Bring down the full weight of the law on them that the ones guilty will forever remember their evil deed.

If i had my way, i'd take them out to sea. A one-way trip. On a paper boat.

******

Postscript: The Tioman Ferry Tragedy

i am reminded of another tragedy a year ago. Fire broke out in a ferry carrying 106 passengers bound for Tioman. They were forced to jump ship without adequate lifevests and seven lives were lost. We know the operator's business name - Seagull Express 2. Court proceedings started in September.

The five directors:
Law Ah Hwa @ Lau Khoon Chan, 62
Law Kohoon Huat, 58
Law Khoo Hock, 53
Law See Hock, 60
Hashim Mohd, 49

The boat captain:
Wan Fahrorozi Wan Naman, 35

Neither the Marine Department nor the Transport Ministry has been implicated although a Malaysiakini report said a group of survivors will likely sue for negligence.

********