Missing fishermen found safe
KUANTAN - Two fishermen who were feared missing after not returning home as scheduled last Monday were found safe but in a weak condition at about 2.30pm on Wednesday.
Pahang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director First Admiral Kamal Ariffin Jusoh said the search and rescue operation ended after the Kuantan Maritime Rescue Sub Center (MRSC) Kuantan received a call from Rompin Police Station informing that the two fishermen were found by a member of the public in Teluk Juara, Tioman Island.
"The victims who were employees of a resort, Chia Swee Kwong, 49, and Zulfahmi Izzudin Gan Abdullah, 45 were said to have gone fishing on a fiber boat from Teluk Juara and usually returned on the same day.
"Efforts to track them hit a dead end after failure to contact both fishermen’s mobile phones,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Resort owner Ooi Boon Kun, 59, had confirmed that both men were found and taken for treatment at Tekek Health Clinic, Pulau Tioman.
The victim informed him that their boat ran out of fuel and sank after getting hit by waves.
"Both victims survived as they wore life jackets and swam to the nearby land," he explained.
Kamal Ariffin reminded the public and surrounding residents to obey the law and be careful and vigilant when at sea.
"Always wear a life jacket as the monsoon is still ongoing with rough seas and strong winds.
"Any information related to emergency incidents and criminal activities at sea can be reported to the Pahang State Maritime Operations Center at 09-5717345 or through the MERS emergency helpline 999," he said
