KUCHING: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the last missing victim of a fishing boat tragedy near Pulau Burung waters was officially called off this evening.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak director, First Admiral Kamal Ariffin Jusoh, said the operation was concluded at 6 pm after no new leads were discovered. However, he assured that the operation would be reactivated if fresh evidence or leads emerged.
"The search area today covered 439.97 nautical square miles, bringing the total search radius from the first to the fifth day to 1,671.92 nautical square miles. This spanned the waters from Tanjung Sipang to Triso," he said in a statement today.
The missing fisherman, identified as Chaloem Sonada, 64, is a Thai national. Five others were rescued safely, including three Cambodians, Oeun Van, Khlok Sem, and Thy Ny, as well as two Indonesians, Andikah and Irman.
The fishermen were aboard a local fishing vessel that departed from Tanjong Bako jetty on Dec 17 to fish in the open sea. However, the boat reportedly capsized after losing contact on Dec 20. Following the incident, a SAR operation involving 10 agencies was activated after the MMEA received information from the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kuching.
Kamal Ariffin expressed gratitude to all the agencies involved in the five-day operation, which included the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), comprising the Marine Police Force (PPM), Air Operations Force (PGU), and Kuching District Police Headquarters. "We also thank the other contributors, namely the Sarawak Coast Guard (SCG), the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the Civil Defence Force (APM), and the Sarawak Rivers Board (LSS)," he said.
The operation also received support from the Malaysian Sarawak Marine Department (JLM), the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), and the Sarawak Department of Fisheries (JPLS). Kamal Ariffin urged the maritime community to report any emergencies or incidents at sea to the Sarawak Maritime Operations Centre via 082-432544, 082-432016, or the emergency hotline 999 for prompt action.