Form Four boy missing after marathon race


Rescuers searching for Ahmad Rafikin in Hutan Lipur Sekayu
KUALA BERANG: Search has intensified for a Form Four student who went missing after taking part in a marathon race in Sekayu here on Saturday.

Hulu Terengganu police chief DSP Hussin Deraman said police have brought in tracker dogs since Ahmad Rafikin Azman, 16, has not been found as of 5pm Sunday.

Ahmad Rafikin, who was among 540 participants in the race, did not complete the Gunung Gajah Terom Marathon and his father, Azman Othman, 50, lodged a police report at about 6pm.

Azman had earlier notified the organiser when he could not find Ahmad Rafikin, a student of SM Sains Sultan Mahmud, Kuala Terengganu, whom he had come to fetch at about 3pm after the race.

All the other 32 participants in his category had returned by that time.

"After waiting for some time, Azman, an assistant director at the Terengganu Education Department, made the police report.

 "We have increased the number of personnel involved in the search and rescue operation from 42 to 92. Rain and darkness will not hamper our efforts to find him," DSP Hussin said.

It is learnt that Ahmad Rafikin had passed the night of Oct 31 in a tent at the location and that he had left his mobile telephone at home.

A search was launched by a 42-member team comprising personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service, Police and People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) as well as villagers.

Mohd Rafi Kori of the race secretariat said Ahmad Rafikin had passed the first checkpoint of the race for the Junior 12km category at 9.26am but did not complete the race.

The race involved 540 runners who competed in various categories beginning 8.15am.

The race was organised by the Terengganu Tourism and Culture Ministry office and managed by the National Adventure Association. - Bernama

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Negri polls: Anwar to campaign at four locations on July 22
Man found dead on Bukit Maras summit
Malaysia's new high commissioner to Singapore presents credentials to president Tharman
Speed testing vehicles on public roads can lead to legal action
KL Education Dept to take legal action over viral student brawl
Foreign worker electrocuted while installing lamp post
PAS-Umno cooperation necessary to reinforce Malay Muslim political power, says Hadi
Independent candidate in Negri polls to be charged over social media post
Kajang murder probe: Cops nab five suspects
MACC arrests Sabah NGO chief over misuse of RM2mil

Others Also Read