SANDAKAN: The body of an Indonesian fisherman, one of two crew members reported missing since Saturday, was recovered on Sunday by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Star Team.
The body, identified as 24-year-old Akbar by family members, was found at around 12.22pm, approximately 8.1 nautical miles north of Pulau Nunuyan, where the fishing boat is believed to have capsized.
The body has been handed to police for official identification and post-mortem.
The search continues for Akbar’s 32-year-old brother, Mohd Aswal Arman, while efforts are ongoing to locate the sunken boat.
The rescue operation, now in its second day, involves MMEA vessels KM Peringgi, Banggi 44 and Adal 14, supported by the Navy, Marine Police, Fire and Rescue, and Civil Defence.
Preliminary reports indicate the boat was hit by waves up to two metres high, causing it to capsize. The crew had been missing for three days after heading out to fish.
Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, Sandakan Maritime Zone Director, urged fishermen and sea-goers to prioritise safety, including wearing life jackets, checking communication devices, and ensuring boats are seaworthy.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Sandakan Maritime Operations Centre at 089-221923 or the emergency line 999.
