BAYAN LEPAS: The families of two fishermen, who were rescued yesterday after they were reported missing when their boat drifted off Kuala Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, last Monday, are grateful for their safe return.
The boat, with fishermen Muhammad Ikmal Hakimi Ismail, 22, and Nor Hasrul Abdullah, 25, on board had drifted off into Indonesian waters.
They managed to return home with the help of police, Indonesian fishermen and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency following a search operation for the missing duo.
Ikmal's mother, 47-year-old Hanita Ismail, said she shed tears when she got news that her son was safe.
"I did not shed a tear over the last few days during the search. But when I was told that he was found alive yesterday, my tears just flowed.
"I had a dream last Saturday of many people surrounding my son. Now, it all made sense. It was actually a group of fishermen who found him and his friend safe.
"I am just so happy beyond words and grateful. Alhamdullilah," she said when met at the Limbongan Batu Maung jetty where her son and his friend arrived safely.
Hanita said she would never allow her son to go to sea after the incident.
"After what happened, I could not possibly allow him to go back to sea," she added.
Nor Hasrul's mother, Noor Azilah Jamaluddin, 44, thanked Allah for listening to her prayers and the prayers of many others for the safe return of her son.
"When I saw their viral photos, I was overjoyed that they were alive and safe," she said.
Noor Azilah said she would not stop her son from going to sea but would remind him to be cautious.
Meanwhile, Southwest district police chief Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam described both Ikmal and Nor Hasrul as survivors.
He said police received information from Indonesian fishermen on the duo's discovery in Indonesian waters about 9am yesterday.
"We then launched a move to bring them back using a MMEA vessel about noon yesterday. At 8pm yesterday, they arrived in Malaysian waters. They arrived at the jetty here about 3am today," he said.
Sazalee said both victims were in good condition. He said they entered Aceh, Indonesia more than 60 nautical miles away.
"We received good cooperation from the Indonesian fishermen," he said.
Sazalee said the search operation for the fishermen had covered an area of 8,884 sq km with 90 personnel from various agencies, using air and sea assets, as well as cooperation from local fishermen.