Joniston extended his heartfelt condolences to Suzie Lydia on the tragic loss of her daughter, Ernesty Joannes, who drowned in a fish pond.
KIULU (Nov 25): A heartbreaking incident in Kampung Rungus Nahaba, where two girls drowned in an unfenced fish pond, has prompted Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai to urge community leaders to prioritise safety in their respective villages to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Joniston emphasised the need for community leaders to mitigate potential safety risks and to take every incident seriously.
“We must treat this as wake-up calls for stronger safety measures to enhance safety in our communities,” he said after visiting the grieving families on Monday.
The deceased are Frederica Mousi and Ernesty Joannes, both aged seven. Both are year one pupils at SK Rungus Nahaba.
The deceased, together with another friend, was said to have ventured into the fish pond located not far from their homes on Sunday (Nov 24) afternoon.
According to family members, a search was immediately carried out upon realising the two girls had gone to the pond, and their bodies were retrieved from the pond at about 4pm.
Joniston extended his condolences to Frederica’s parents, Mousin Kolinang and Muliana Tungki, and Ernesty’s parents, Joannes Kopitan and Suzie Lydia.
He emphasised that safety measures must encompass all aspects of daily life, including securing potentially hazardous areas such as ponds, rivers, and other public spaces.
While urging pond owners to fence their ponds to prevent similar accidents, he also called for greater vigilance in supervising children and ensuring they are not left unattended in dangerous areas.
As Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, Joniston stressed that safety measures should also protect villagers and visitors.
Kiulu, known for its river and nature-based activities, relies on its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.
Joniston urged the Kiulu Sub-District Office and the People Development Leader Unit (UPPM) to work closely with Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) and village chiefs to identify risks, promote safety awareness, and implement preventive measures within their communities.
“Protecting both villagers and visitors is a shared responsibility that must not be overlooked,” he added.
