JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Two boys, aged 11 and 12, who were reported missing yesterday, were found drowned in a dam at Jalan Murai 2, Taman Scientex, Pasir Gudang early today.
They were identified as Mohamad Haikal Ramzi Mohamad Khairudi, 12, and Mohamad Adam Farish Arman, 11.
Pasir Gudang Senior Operation Commander Deputy Fire Superintendent II Firdaus Ahmad said the body of the 12-year-old was found at 2.12 am in water about two metres deep, three metres from the riverbank.
"The 11-year-old boy's body was found at 2.33 am at the same depth and 15 metres from the riverbank. Their bodies have been handed over to the police,” he said in a statement today.
He said the search and rescue (SAR) operation involved 19 firefighters from the Pasir Gudang and Skudai fire and rescue stations, assisted by the Water Rescue Team.
Earlier, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call regarding the incident at 10.36 pm.
The boys’ bicycles and sandals were reportedly found at the scene.
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Mohamad Khairudi Setapa said he never expected his son, Mohammad Haikal Ramzi, and Muhammad Adam, who had only been friends for a short time, to meet such a tragic end together.
Mohamad Khairudi said that his son, who studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kopok, was well-mannered and friendly, making it easy for the two boys to become good friends despite having just met.
"I never imagined he would leave us so soon, but I am willing to let him go as he was given to us by Allah to care for him for the past 12 years. He will always be my son, here and forever,” he told reporters at the Pasir Gudang Hospital Forensic Medical Centre here today.
The father of three said Mohammad Haikal Ramzi would usually go out in the afternoon to play and return home before the Maghrib prayers.
When his son failed to return home, he started to go out and look for him before lodging a police report at about 9 pm.
"His friends told me that they last saw him near the dam area. The first clue we had was when we found his bicycle near the dam,” he said.
Meanwhile, the family of Muhammad Adam, who studied at SK Kota Puteri 4, did not want to be interviewed.
-- BERNAMA