The islanders spotted the body of Ali Harun, 18, by the seaside yesterday morning while they were cleaning the beach.

It is learnt that Ali, from Kampung Meruntum Putatan, had gone fishing alone on May 31 but failed to return, prompting family members to lodge a missing person's report.

City police chief Assistant Commisioner Ahmad Sofi Zakaria said a search and rescue team, involving villagers, Fire and Rescue Department and marine police, was carried out.

"We believe the victim's boat had capsized before he was swept away by a strong current and drowned," Ahmad Sofi said, adding that the body was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for a post-mortem.

Ahmad Sofi advised the public to stay away from the sea following bad weather condition.