By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: A Year Three pupil became the first flood fatality in Terengganu after she dove into a waterlogged sand dredging site in Hulu Terengganu and drowned.

Tuan Nor Farah Amira Tuan Harun, nine, had gone to the site in Kampung Getang, 66km from here, that was waterlogged after Saturday's massive flood. She was found dead half an hour later.

The SK Getang pupil was buried at the village's cemetery.

Nor Farah had gone to the dredging site for a swim with friends at about 4.45pm on Saturday.

Her mother, Tengku Rubiah Tengku Ngah, 46, who was at a relative's wedding in Lubuk Periuk then, said she had warned her children not to play in the river, especially during the rainy season.

Elder sister, Nor Sofea, said that when she saw Nor Farah struggling in the water, she jumped into the river and grabbed her by the hair but lost her grip and Nor Farah went under.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the incident could have been caused by the lackadaisical attitude of parents.

"We should look out for the young ones even more now that the monsoon season is here," he said.

"Utmost importance should be placed on their safety," he said after launching an Education Expo here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said the people should be grateful to the Terengganu government, adding that they should refrain from criticising officials over trivial matters.

While he acknowledged that there were delays in delivering aid to evacuees in Dungun on Saturday, the Mentri Besar said it was an "unavoidable glitch".

"Yes, there was only a temporary lag but the aid including food items were rushed to the evacuation centre when the number of victims went up."