OVERLOADING CAUSE OF CAPSIZE: INITIAL REPORT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Overloading was the cause of the sinking
of
a barge off Port Klang Tuesday, which claimed 12 lives, initial investigation
revealed.

Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat said the initial investigation report
showed that the barge had carried more than 100 passengers, which was above its
capacity.

Describing the incident as very saddening, Ong said he would direct the
Marine Department to give a full report on the tragedy.

"I need to get hold on this, whatever that has taken place," he told
reporters at the Hari Raya open house organised by the Prime Minister and his
cabinet at the Putra World Trade Centre, here Wednesday.

Eleven women and one man drowned while 125 others were rescued after a
wooden barge ferrying Indonesians home for Hari Raya sank in the waters off
Pintu Gedong, 15km from Westport, Tuesday morning.

On the drastic increase in the number of road accidents during the festive
period, Ong said a complete review of the road safety campaign would be
undertaken to evaluate its effectiveness.

"After Raya I will do a post-mortem with JKJR (Road Safety Department) on
its effectiveness. I'm going to do that," he said.

A total 105 lives have been lost on the nation's roads since the start of
Ops Sikap, which began on Sept 24 and ends Oct 8.