CHUKAI: The search and rescue operation for the remaining two missing victims in a boat capsizing incident off the waters of Kuala Kemaman earlier this morning will resume tomorrow.
Kemaman Maritime Zone deputy director of operations Muhamad Faisal Abdul Rahim stated that the operation, which began at 8.40am today, was suspended at 7.00pm due to bad weather.
He said that the operation would recommence at 7.00am tomorrow, covering four sectors with an area of approximately 153 square miles around the incident location.
He added that they believe the remaining two victims are still in the vicinity of the capsized boat.
"We ended today's operation at 7.00pm and will resume tomorrow starting at 7.00am, focusing on the same sectors.
"However, we are still awaiting instructions from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre which might change the sectors or keep them the same tomorrow, and additional assets will be deployed.
"Tomorrow, there will be two air assets, one from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and one from Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency," he said when met at the Incident Control Post at Jeti Haji Pa Kuala Kemaman today.
Meanwhile, Kemaman police chief, Superintendent Hanyan Ramlan, said that the search operation was suspended at 7.00pm today.
He mentioned that the suspension was due to bad weather and rough seas, and the search would resume tomorrow morning.
In the incident around 6.30am, the victims identified as Siti Zamimah Mohman Zobini, 29, and Shahril Ismail, 50, were found drowned at around 7.00am and 1.00pm respectively.
The two still missing are Yusoff Kassam and Aina Husna.
Meanwhile, the five survivors are Rosnawi Harun, 50; the boat's skipper, Saipul Ridzuan Osman, 50, Mat Ali Alahan, 66, Haziah, and Ain Farhana.