KOTA KINABALU: A 38-year-old tourist drowned after a boat he was in with eight others capsized in Timba-Timba Island, Semporna yesterday.
Semporna district police chief Superintendent Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the other eight tourists were found safe.
Mohd Farhan said police received a report on Sept 4 at 4pm regarding a sinking boat incident in Timba-Timba Island involving nine foreign tourists at approximately 10.10am.
"One of the victims, a man, aged 38 died believed to have drowned while eight others were rescued," he said in a statement today.
He added that the case was being investigated under section 304(a) of the Penal Code which provides an imprisonment sentence of up to two years or with a fine or with both, upon conviction.
"Police have arrested four men consisting of a local citizen aged 22 and three foreigners aged between 26 and 40 to assist the investigation. All suspects will be brought to the magistrate court for remand applications," he said.
The police advise boat owners to be careful when using the boat and to provide safety equipment such as jackets for their clients.
Any information regarding the incident can be forwarded to the investigating officer of the case, Insp. Khadijah Mohd Seruji at 019-8718002 or any nearby police station.