style="text-transform: uppercase;">Kota Kinabalu: Family members of one of the six still missing in last Saturday's Catamaran tragedy claim to have been sleeping outside the Suria Sabah shopping complex here the past six days with no help from the authorities. The family from Kudat is still keeping vigil for Abhsoy Kassim, who is missing with five other China tourists following the boat tragedy off Pulau Mengalum.

SAPP Youth Exco Clifford F Sivagu said Abhsoy's father told him they have been there for six days without proper food and shelter, adding nobody came to assist them. However, it was not known whether they made any prior attempt to approach the relevant authorities. Together with the father were 14 others, including Abhsoy's wife.

"SAPP is appalled with the situation faced by the family and feel that our local people should have been given the same attention as the other victims who are mostly foreign tourists," he said.

"The welfare of the family must be taken care of, we must help," was a message from our President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee on Feb 1," he said.

"I can feel and understand what they have gone through the last six days and nights without proper shelter, it can be freezing cold in this rainy season," said Supreme Council member John Stephen Dionysius when visiting the family with Yong and SAPP Supreme Council member Chin Vui Kai.

They helped the family arrange for temporary accommodation at a backpackers lodge the same day.

John said the family were on Thursday referred to the Chief Minister's Department under the purview of Datuk Teo Chee Kang but was informed that the Minister is on leave.

He said they were then referred to State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Nyuk Ming.

"When asked why these local family members are not given the attention, the answer was that the Minister himself was not aware of the situation. "The Minister said now that the matter has been brought to his attention, he will take over and make arrangements for them," he said.