KOTA BELUD: A Chinese couple vacationing on Mantanani Island has been reported missing since Sunday after failing to check out of the Sutera Mantanani Resort.
The missing tourists are Yu Xiaopeng, 25, and his girlfriend Fan Qin, 28.
Kota Belud District Police Chief Supt Shahrudin Mat Husain said the resort’s security team lodged the missing person report at 7.57pm on Oct 5.
Preliminary investigations revealed the couple had checked into the resort at 2.14pm on Oct 4 and were scheduled to check out the following day.
“However, they have not been seen since, and a search and rescue (SAR) operation has been ongoing since Sunday,” Shahrudin told the Daily Express.
Resort staff reportedly did not notice the couple’s absence until after their checkout time.
Yu was last seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt and black pants, while Fan was dressed in a short-sleeved top and black shorts.
The SAR operation involves over 50 personnel from various enforcement and emergency agencies, including the police, Air Operations Force (Drone Unit), General Operations Force (Tek Platoon Mantanani), and Marine Police (PPM).
Also assisting are the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Kota Belud, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), Civil Defence Force (APM) Kota Belud, and local residents.
Search efforts are focused both on land and in the waters around the island.
“So far, the victims have not been located. We urge the public not to speculate or share unverified information that could hinder the investigation,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Kota Belud Police Station Chief Inspector Frankie Pain at 019-2151132.
