‘It is hard to bury your own children. It breaks your heart in a way no other death can ever do, for you are burying part of yourself in that grave.’ – Goodreads user
Once in a while, we come across tragic newspapers stories that make us cry.
On Wednesday, I was sad to edit a tragic story about three children who were found drowned in a sewage pond near the Sibujaya flats in Sibu that afternoon.
The children were identified as Macx Devdynne Sharie Merdeka, 12, Daniella Arissa Tayas Maringgai, 10, and Macx Welwait Merdeka, 9.
They were children with unusual, unforgettable names but unfortunately, their lives were cut short. Two were girls and one was a boy. Judging from their names, the boy and one of the girls were siblings.
They were found in the sewage pond estimated to be about two metres deep even though the site had been fenced off by the authorities. What were they doing in the pond? Fishing, swimming or just playing around it?
They had already been pulled to the edge of the pond by members of the public and unconscious before the firefighters arrived.
Firefighters from Sibu Jaya station, about 3km away, rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 4.03 pm.
All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics and their remains were handed over to the police for further action.
Nothing is known about the families of the children and their reactions to the children’s untimely deaths.
Except for comments from two ministers and the Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC), there are no stories about the victims and their families so far.
In a statement issued on the day of the tragedy, SRDC said the incident that claimed the lives of the three children occurred within an area that was undergoing development.
It added that relevant authorities were conducting investigations to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
SRDC added it would extend its full cooperation to all the relevant agencies and stakeholders involved.
The council also reminded members of the public to exercise caution and ensure that children were properly supervised at all times, especially near construction sites, water bodies and other hazardous areas.
It added it was deeply saddened by the tragic incident and extended its condolences to the bereaved families and all those affected.
SDRC said it understood the concern and sorrow felt by the community and called for compassion, sensitivity and respect for the affected families while investigations were ongoing.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, who extended her deepest condolences to the victims’ families, called on the public to refrain from speculation and to respect both the ongoing investigation as well as the privacy of grieving families.
“As the case is now under police investigation, we must allow the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent inquiry,” she said.
Fatimah added the tragedy underscored the importance of ensuring that environments accessible to children were safe and adequately safeguarded.
She urged all relevant stakeholders to review and strengthen preventive measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children at all times.
“The protection of children remains our collective responsibility,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has expressed his deepest condolence to the families and described the tragedy as “heartbreaking”.
He called for stronger public responsibility and enforcement following the tragic drowning of the three children in Sibu Jaya.
“It is such a sad loss of lives. Safety is not just a responsibility when things happen. Everyone must ply their role and do their part,” he told reporters at a function in Kuching on Friday.
Dr Sim also voiced concern over recurring vandalism of public safety infrastructure which might have contributed to the tragedy.
He stressed the need for greater enforcement while urging the public to understand why certain areas were fenced off or restricted.
“We fence off areas because they are dangerous. People must realise these measures are for their safety.”
Dr Sim also cautioned the public not to blame anyone after tragedies had happened.
“If you want to point fingers, point beforehand. We cannot bring those who died back to life. We will look at it, review the SOP and see what else we can do,” he said.
Thank you, Fatimah and Dr Sim, for your advices. Yes, Dr Sim, we look forward to the new SOP on public safety infrastructure. Please share it with us.
According to the World Health Organisation, there are around 300,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide.
Drowning is the fourth leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years and the third leading cause of death for children aged 5-14 years. Ninety-two per cent of drowning deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries.
If you are one of the relevant stakeholders, please review and strengthen the preventive measures now to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children at all times.
Three young children including two siblings have died tragically in a sewage pond in Sibujaya , Sibu. Don’t let them die in vain.
