Police confirm body found in Perak waters is missing angler

SHAH ALAM, Sept 16 —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.