JOHOR BARU: The search and rescue operation for a Singaporean man who went missing on Aug 8 while on a kayaking expedition in Mersing was called off last night.
Johor maritime director Maritime First Admiral Aminuddin Abdul Rashid said the SAR operation was halted at 9pm on Sunday because rescuers did not find any fresh leads.
“The operation was stopped because there have been no new leads since the body of the female victim was found on Aug 14. However, the search operation will be started again if there are new (leads)," he said in a statement today.
He said the 10-day SAR operation covered searches from the air, in the sea, along the shores and on islands involving 155 personnel, and five aviation and 11 maritime assets from various agencies costing RM431,380.
Puah Geok Tin, 57, and Tan Eng Soon, 62, were reported missing in rough sea conditions after they got separated from their 13 friends while kayaking in Mersing waters.
The body Puah, also a Singaporean, was found about five nautical miles east of Kuala Kemaman, Terengganu, on Aug 14 while Tan is still missing. -- Bernama