Kuala lumpur: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for anglers reported missing at One Fathom Bank near Pulau Ketam since last Monday was terminated today after no new leads or discoveries were reported. Selangor: The search, which spanned six days, was conducted by the Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and covered an extensive area of 3,887 square nautical miles in the waters of Selangor and Perak.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lieutenant Mohd Azlee Zainal, an operations officer with the MMEA, confirmed the termination of the operation. "The operation until 7 pm last night did not find any new leads or the one angler who is still missing. Consequently, the SAR operation covering the sea and air sectors, including the waters of Hutan Melintang and Bagan Datuk, is terminated," he told reporters at the Forward Search and Rescue Base (PHC) at Sementa Jetty.
Earlier in the day, Mohd Azlee briefed several family members waiting for updates at the PHC. Despite the operation's conclusion, he assured that MMEA assets would continue routine patrols and monitoring in the area. "We have also informed the fishermen's association and the maritime community to cooperate if they have new information or discoveries regarding the victim. Any information can be channelled directly to the MMEA or the police for further action," he added.
The SAR operation made use of various assets, including Maritime Ships (KM) Nusa and Tugau, a CL415MP aircraft, and an RH33 patrol boat from the Marine Police Force (PPM). The operation was launched last Monday after the Selangor MMEA received an official report about the disappearance of seven anglers at One Fathom Bank at 3.35 am.
Out of the seven reported missing, four were found safe, while two others, Muhammad Ridzuan Ruhaizat, 37, and Mohamad Shahril Abd Rahman, 43, were found deceased in the waters of Hutan Melintang on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Muhammad Ridzuan's uncle, Khairul Muhidin, shared that the remains were laid to rest at the Jalan Kebun Barat Muslim Cemetery in Shah Alam at 5.15 pm today. The funeral prayer, held at An-Naim Mosque in Jalan Kebun, followed the claiming of the remains from Sungai Buloh Hospital this afternoon. "We accept Allah's will and are thankful that all the deceased's burial arrangements went smoothly, including the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing process by the hospital," Khairul stated.
Unfortunately, one angler, Raja Mohd Rozi Raja Mahamud, 49, remains missing.