Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
MIRI: Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has described the death of Mohd Syafiq Halias as a heart-break for his family in particular and fellow state athletes in general but hoped it would not dampen the spirit of the Sarawak contingent.
“No doubt, there are some interruptions in the preparations for the team involved, especially those who had undergone the training, and of course the deceased’s family.
“However, we hope this would not dampen the spirt of the head or coordinator but be determined to go on and get the athletes ready for the sailing,” he said to the media at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) here yesterday.
Mohd Syafiq Halias and his friend, Muhammad Syafiq Hasnan, both aged 15 years, met with an accident which sent both and their motorcyle plunging into a nine-feet-deep drain at Marina Bay on Monday.
Mohd Syafiq Halias died on the spot while Muhammad Syafiq Hasnan suffered bodily injuries.
It was reported that the ill-fated motorcycle skidded before landing in the drain at about 1.30pm.
Met by reporters at the scene, Muhammad Syafiq Hasnan could only remember that they had earlier gone to a nearby grocery shop to buy some food.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim attended the 16th Sukma organising committee meeting at IKBN, chaired by the State Secretary – Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
“I hope all those in the team would be strong to carry on with their endeavour to strive for victory in the games,” he remarked.
Muhammad Syafiq Hasnan is still warded at Miri Hospital.