KUANTAN: Emotions ran high as the nine Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) sailors who were found last night, about 48 hours after they were reported missing during an operation against illegal fishing near Johor, arrived at the Tanjung Gelang naval base today.
The nine sailors - who were part of RMN's first fast attack craft (missile) KD Perdana's boarding team - were greeted by RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin and their respective family members.
The nine sailors, who were greeted by thunderous applause by their collegues at the jetty, immediately rushed and embraced their family members who were in tears.
Also joining the nine sailors at the jetty were the remaining sailors from KD Perdana who embarked from the vessel in batches.
The family members of sailor Faisal Iskandar said they were informed that the sailors were safely found about 8pm on Monday.
His father Alias Abdullah, 64, from Kijal, Terengganu said they were relieved when told that his son, second from seven siblings, has been found.
"My son has been a sailor for more than seven years and early this year, he was transfered here from Lumut, Perak. Despite being a fisherman myself and had experienced similar situations (losing contact at sea) previously, I was still worried about his safety.
"When the family was informed about the incident on Saturday night, we were all worried and had been praying for his safe return. In fact, none of us could have a good sleep," he said when met.
The nine were reported missing after an operation against illegal fishing activities about 29 nautical miles off Tanjung Sedili in Johor on Saturday.
The 1pm incident involved one officer and eight other personnel of other ranks, who were a part of the boarding team.
In a statement released by the RMN Naval Region 1 Base, KD Perdana was on its routine patrolling duties, sailing in waters off Tanjung Sedili, when they spotted foreign fishing vessels carrying out their activities in Malaysian waters.
KD Perdana was believed to have been chasing the vessels before it went missing.