KOTA KINABALU, Oct 19 – A father and his 24-year-old daughter lost their lives after a shipping container tipped over and crushed the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) they were traveling in along Jalan Pelabuhan Sepanggar Bay, near Wisma Sabah Ports, on Sunday evening.
The deceased have been identified as driver Mohd Jadi Pelbi, 53, and his daughter, Norfaieza Mohd Jadi, 24, who was seated in the front passenger seat.
According to a statement issued by the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre on Monday, October 19, 2026, eyewitnesses reported that a trailer lorry was in the process of loading a container onto its trailer from the roadside when it suddenly lost balance and fell onto the passing MPV.
Emergency responders received a distress call at 6:31 PM on Sunday and dispatched 26 personnel alongside specialized rescue vehicles from a station located 25 kilometers away.
Firefighters extricated both victims from the flattened vehicle with the aid of two heavy-duty cranes provided by the lorry company. Health Ministry medical officers confirmed both individuals dead at the scene from severe crush injuries before their bodies were handed over to the police for post-mortem procedures.
Parliamentary Call For Investigations, Safety Enforcement, and Family Support
The tragic fatality has sparked outrage regarding heavy vehicle operational compliance near port areas, prompting strong calls for regulatory enforcement:
- Demand For Full Accountability: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) and Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Mustafa Sakmud demanded a comprehensive police investigation into potential negligence and safety protocol breaches.
- Firm Regulatory Warning: “If there was negligence and non-compliance involving any party, I will make sure that those responsible are held accountable. Enough is enough, as we have had enough of these accidents involving heavy vehicles recurring in Sepanggar,” Mustafa stated in a social media update.
- Safety Protocol Audits: Authorities are reviewing loading standards and roadside heavy machinery procedures along high-density freight corridors surrounding Sepanggar Bay.
- Welfare & Legal Assistance: Mustafa directed the Sepanggar Parliamentary Service Centre (Suara Sepanggar) to provide immediate support to the bereaved family, assist with funeral arrangements, and facilitate applications for official compensation and legal relief.
Investigations into the mechanical condition of the trailer, loading mechanisms, and driver compliance are ongoing.
–NMT
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