SHAH ALAM, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Police have confirmed that the body of a man found floating in the waters off Hutan Melintang, Perak, this morning is one of the three anglers missing since Monday.
Klang Utara police chief ACP Ramsay Embol said the body was identified as Mohd Sharil Abd Rahman, 43, following identification by next-of-kin.
He said the search and rescue (SAR) team received information from fishermen about the discovery around 8.30 am before the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) brought the body to Hutan Melintang Jetty for further action.
“The body will subsequently be sent to Shah Alam Hospital for further procedures,” he said in a statement today.
Ramsay said the joint SAR operation to locate the two remaining missing victims is ongoing. It involves the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), MMEA, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), and other relevant agencies.
“Further updates regarding the operation will be communicated from time to time,” he said.
Earlier today, Klang Utara deputy police chief Supt Mohd Rahimi Zainol said the body, tied to a drum and wearing a life jacket, was spotted in the waters off Bagan Sungai Belukang, Perak.
He added that according to survivors, all victims tied themselves to drums after their boat capsized near One Fathom Bank in the Straits of Malacca on Monday.
Selangor MMEA launched the SAR operation at 3.35 am on Monday after receiving reports of seven missing anglers. Four were rescued safely in Sekinchan waters on Tuesday and sent for treatment at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) and Banting Hospital.
The survivors were identified as Mohd Shairazi Abdul Aziz, 43; Mohd Rizal Mohamad Sadali, 45; Muhd Hamiszar Punirain, 45; and boat skipper Zulfikalnain Awang, 47.
The two anglers still missing are Muhamad Ridzuan Ruhaizat, 37, and Raja Mohd Rozi Raja Mohamad, 49.
Meanwhile, the SAR operation for the missing anglers, which entered its third day today, is focusing on expanding the search zone following the discovery of a body in Perak waters.
Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the move followed an assessment of current drift patterns, which may have carried the remaining victims into neighbouring state waters.
“Following the expansion, the sea search sector now covers an area of 203.85 square nautical miles along the Selangor-Perak maritime border, while the air search sector covers 408 square nautical miles around One Fathom Bank.
“Perak MMEA vessel KM NUSA has also been deployed to expand the search area into Perak waters,” he said in a statement today.
He urged members of the public with any information to contact 013-660 6652 to assist in the ongoing SAR operation.
-- BERNAMA