By Marcel Lee Pereira

THE families of the five dragon boaters who died in Cambodia last year are still searching for closure.

They met the press last night to ask for an apology from the Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) for statements it had made to the media after an inquiry panel's report on the tragedy was released in May.

Mr Freddie Kee, father of dead rower Reuben Kee, said the SDBA had made statements about "facts not in the report which surprised us and caused us more hurt".

These included a site recce two days before the race that identified floating pontoons on the river as danger areas.

There was also some confusion on who had made the decision for the team not to wear life vests.

Said Mr Kee: "We want an acknowledgement... in addition to the apology... that they didn't do their best. Then we will be able to move on."

Mr Kee added that they prefer to mediate with SDBA rather than take legal action.


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