Batu kurau: A man with a mental disability has been reported missing after leaving his home and is believed to have entered a bushy area near his residence in Simpang 4, Anak Kurau, near Batu Kurau, on Saturday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selama police chief ACP Sarudin Samah stated that Zakaria Shamsuddin, 42, was last observed at approximately 4 pm when he exited through the back door of his house and headed towards a bushy area about 300 metres from the residence. The victim was initially followed by his stepson but vanished from sight when the latter stopped briefly to tie his shoelaces.

While the stepson was tying his shoelaces, Zakaria was still in front of him. However, when the stepson looked up again, Zakaria had disappeared and could not be located. The victim is a person with a mental disability and is believed not to have taken his prescribed medication for the past two or three days. Police are urging members of the public with any information on Zakaria's whereabouts to come forward by contacting Sergeant Major Razak Abdul Ghani at 010-2096227, the Selama District Police Headquarters (IPD) at 05-8394222, or the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarozi Nor Ahmad reported that the victim had yet to be found, despite the search and rescue (SAR) operation entering its second day. The second day of the search operation involved dividing personnel into nine teams comprising members of JBPM, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), the JBPM K9 Unit, and members of the public.

The search concentrated on Sectors A, B, C, and D, covering an area of approximately nine square kilometres around the location where Zakaria was reported missing. The operation employed the LAST concept and fan-searching techniques to locate him. Today's operation involved 13 JBPM personnel, 10 PDRM personnel, three APM members, three K9 Unit members, and 16 civilians. However, Zakaria had still not been found when the operation concluded at 5 pm.

At 5 pm, the operation commander reported via the Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN) that the search operation had been temporarily suspended on the instruction of the district police chief after obtaining approval from the Perak police chief. Search efforts will resume once new leads are found.