Fatal Sepat Platform Incident: Probe Underway, Workplace Safety Must Be Strengthened - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- The government views seriously the death of three contractor workers in an incident on the Sepat platform in the Terengganu-Kelantan waters yesterday, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a post on X, he said a comprehensive investigation is underway by the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident.

Anwar also stressed that the government will continue to strengthen workplace safety measures to better protect workers’ welfare nationwide.

He extended his condolences to the victims’ families and wished a swift recovery for those injured.

“Condolences to the families of the victims, and may they be granted strength and patience in facing this difficult test, and may those receiving treatment recover soon,” he said.

Yesterday, Kuala Terengganu Police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said that three workers died while another was critically injured after the lifeboat they were in fell into the sea during maintenance work at the Sepat platform in Terengganu-Kelantan waters.

In the incident that occurred at 12.50 pm, all four victims were believed to have boarded a lifeboat on the platform to lower themselves to the sea to carry out maintenance work on the lower section of the platform.

However, the rope or hook attached to the boat was believed to have detached, causing the victims to fall into the sea along with the boat.

The dead are Ahmad Fiqri Zakaria, 38, from Batu Berendam, Melaka; Muhammad Faezuan Hakim Mohammad Bustamam, 28, from Kuantan, Pahang; and Nik Muhammad Hafifi Asri Ab Majid, 38, from Bandar Indera Mahkota, Pahang.

The fourth victim, Mohd Taufik Mohd Ruslan, 37, from Banting, Selangor, was reported to be critically injured and is currently receiving treatment at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) in Kuala Terengganu.

Meanwhile, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) confirmed that three contractor personnel were killed while another was critically injured in the incident, and that investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing in coordination with the relevant authorities.

-- BERNAMA