Lawas – The search for an elderly fisherman from Sundar, Lawas, who went missing while catching shrimp at sea, ended tragically after his body was discovered floating in Labuan waters on August 16.
Lawas District Police Chief, DSP Liong Tindan, confirmed that the victim, identified as Assan Osman, 65, was reported missing on August 14, 2025, after failing to return home from a fishing trip that began at around 5.30 am.
When he did not return home by evening, his son-in-law lodged a police report. A search of the nearby area led the family to discover Assan’s boat with his belongings still inside, but there was no sign of him.
Following the report, police launched an immediate investigation. However, the search and rescue (SAR) operation could only begin the next day due to limited visibility and safety concerns at sea.
After two days of intensive search efforts, Lawas Police received a call from their counterparts in Labuan on August 16, notifying them that a body had been spotted floating in the waters there.
The victim’s family was called to Labuan Hospital on August 17 to help with the identification process. His son later confirmed that the body was indeed Assan, bringing closure to the SAR operation that had been coordinated from Kampung Awat-Awat Jetty in Lawas.
DSP Liong said the victim’s remains will be brought back to Sundar, Lawas, for burial after the post-mortem examination in Labuan is completed.
The case is now being investigated by Labuan Police Station, and authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of death pending the autopsy report.
This tragedy has left the family and local fishing community mourning the loss of an experienced fisherman who was well known in the area for his livelihood at sea.
