SANDAKAN: A fisherman who was reported missing in the waters off Pulau Berhala since Friday was found dead early Sunday.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Chief Severinus Nidzam @ Sainkui identified the deceased as Mohammad Saidin Salapudin, 33, who was believed to have left the Pulau Berhala jetty at 6am on Friday.
“It is understood that the victim went out to catch shrimps off Pulau Berhala and was supposed to return at 3pm.
“However, at 2pm, the victim’s empty boat was found by villagers,” he said in a statement.
The villagers’ efforts to locate the man were futile, prompting them to reach out to the authorities.
The Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and the police were all involved in the search and rescue operation.
At 8.55am on Sunday, villagers discovered the victim’s body two nautical miles south of Pulau Berhala.
The body had been turned over to police for further investigation.
