KABONG – The Search and Rescue (SAR) team has confirmed the discovery of a body in the waters of Kabong this morning, marking the third day of efforts to locate two fishermen reported missing since Wednesday.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Zone 3 chief, Muhammad Rais Adham Rosalan, said the body was found at 9.58am by local fishermen, about 3.4 nautical miles from the last known location of the missing victims.
“The identity of the body found has not yet been officially confirmed. It has been handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for identification by family members,” he told Utusan Sarawak.
Muhammad Rais said the team could not verify whether the body belonged to one of the two missing fishermen, identified earlier as Tuah Bujang, 57, and his son, Aiman Tuah, 24.
“We will confirm again once we receive information from the police regarding the identity,” he added.
The SAR operation today began as early as 7.35am, with members from the Saratok Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) mobilised to the search area. A briefing was given to all agencies involved at 9.10am before the official search commenced.
Fishermen discovered the body shortly before 10am. The fire brigade arrived at 10.29am and transported the remains to the Kabong jetty using a rescue boat. The body reached the jetty at 10.58am before being handed over to police at 11.07am for further action.
Today’s operation involved six members from BBP Saratok, supported by eight PDRM personnel with one boat, two Malaysian Coast Guard members, 12 Sarawak Auxiliary Police (PBS) Kabong members, six Civil Defence Force (APM) members, eight Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel, and 15 Rela members.
The father-and-son duo went missing after heading out to sea on Wednesday, Sept 3, at 2.00pm. Bad weather, heavy rain and rough seas were reported later that evening around 5.00pm. When no contact could be made, a missing persons report was lodged at Kabong Police Station at 6.49am the following day, which triggered the SAR operation.
Muhammad Rais confirmed that search efforts will continue with intensified cooperation from all agencies until both victims are located.