ALOR STAR: The disappearance of retired Felcra financial officer Sabari Baharom, 62, since Sept 3 is gradually unfolding, following search and rescue operations by the police and fire department in the river at Kampung Empa, Jitra, which commenced yesterday.
According to Skuad Khas Harian Metro, residents reported witnessing a handcuffed man being led by police to the river on the same day.
Authorities have confirmed that they have met with Sabari's children to provide updates on the ongoing investigation.
Checks at the scene revealed several police boats monitoring the river, along with a tent set up nearby for operational support.
Previously, a 62-year-old woman was reported detained by the police to assist with the investigation into Sabari's disappearance.
His eldest daughter, Suraiya Izzati, 29, who was contacted before arriving at the scene, expressed that her family was still waiting for updates about their father and misses him dearly.
Despite the 27 days that have passed, she remains hopeful that her father is alive and awaiting the latest information.
"We are constantly praying and reciting Surah Yasin, hoping for my father's swift return, regardless of the circumstances. Many of my father's friends have held Yasin readings and prayer sessions at the mosque near our home, and friends from Kluang, Johor, are also conducting prayer sessions," she said.
Suraiya also said that her high school friends had organised prayer sessions and Yasin readings via Google Meet.
As the eldest of three siblings, she said that her younger sister, Nur Aina Sofiya, 28, a teacher in Sarawak, often talked in her sleep and called out for their father due to her longing for him.
"We haven't lost hope and are making daily announcements on social media in hopes of finding new leads to locate our father. We have fully cooperated with the police in assisting the investigation into our father's disappearance. Furthermore, we are concerned for our father's well-being. We all miss him dearly — his face, his voice, and his loving and cheerful demeanour," she said.
Suraiya said that the school where Aina teaches in Simunjan, Sarawak, held prayer sessions and Yasin readings every morning, along with prayers before classes.
"Aina has been teaching there since 2019 and has expressed a desire to return home, but we haven't allowed her to yet because our father has not been found. Even if she returns, there's nothing more we can do, so we ask Aina to stay there and keep following the updates about our father."
"The last time we saw him was during the long school holiday and the previous Aidilfitri," she recalled.
Sabari was reported missing after leaving his home in Kampung Mengkuang Tengah in Kuala Pegang, Baling, driving a Proton Waja on Sept 3.
His family became aware of his disappearance after they were unable to reach him on his mobile phone and noticed several cash withdrawal transactions from one of his bank accounts made two days after he went missing.
The vehicle Sabari was in was later found burnt in Belantik, Sik, but he was nowhere to be seen.