TANJUNG MANIS: The body of an elderly man, who fell into the sea from the Linau 27 barge in Rajang waters on Jan 1, was found in Tanjung Alit, Kabong, yesterday (Jan 5).
Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Tanjung Manis director Commander Gilbert Tinggak Numpang said a villager found the body on his farm, bringing closure to the family of the victim.
The deceased, identified as Mustapa Abdullah @ Moses Mleng, 64, was found at around 11.50 am.
“The body was later taken to Sarikei Hospital for identification by the victim’s family and a post-mortem,” he said.
Following the identification, the five-day search operation was officially called off at 6.30 pm.
The incident occurred on Jan 1 at around 10.30 am when Mustapa and another crew member fell into the sea along with a hut after the barge was struck by waves up to 3.5 metres high.
While the other crew member managed to cling to the fallen hut and was later rescued by the Danum 126 tugboat, he was unable to save Mustapa.
The whole search operation covered an area of 224.39 nautical square miles and involved five agencies: MMEA, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Sarawak Coast Guard (SCG), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), and the Civil Defence Force (APM).
Members of the public are advised to report any incidents at sea to the Tanjung Manis maritime operations centre at 011-35728765.
