By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 6: Private Muhammad Syafiq Hilmi Abdul Halim, who had been missing for 19 days, was found safe this morning by the search and rescue (SAR) team.
In a statement today, Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Public Relation Cell stated Muhammad Syafiq, who hailed from Baling, Kedah, was discovered at 11.29am today with his equipment and weapons intact, but was weakened from hunger and dehydration.
A member of the 7th Battalion of the Border Regiment stationed at Kidurong Camp, Bintulu, he had followed the guiding signs deliberately placed along the pilot route around the search area, leading him to the Team A Forward Operating Base.
Initial treatment was administered by the medical team on-site, and Muhammad Syafiq will undergo further examination.
He went missing on June 18 at around noon while providing security escort for a Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem) team surveying from Ulu Tutong to Bebuloh in Limbang along the Malaysia-Brunei border.
The MAF has contacted his family to inform them of his condition, and they will be flown to Sarawak soon, with all expenses covered by the MAF.
With the successful recovery of Muhammad Syafiq concluding the SAR operation, the MAF emphasised that an investigation board will be established to determine the cause of the incident and review the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
The MAF expressed deep appreciation to all agencies involved in the SAR operation, including the Sarawak government, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Jupem, and others for their cooperation and commitment.
They also thanked the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (ABDB) for their support, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Brunei. — DayakDaily
