Musa: Search for missing China tourists intensified

KOTA KINABALU: The search and rescue operation is being stepped up near Pulau Tiga where the skipper and a crewman of the missing catamaran with 28 China tourists were found.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman (pic) said that he has directed for the operation to be intensified.

"I have directed the search and rescue mission to utilise spotter planes to improve the chances of finding the others," he said.

He said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has mobilised the necessary vessels, equipment and manpower for the search and rescue mission.

"I am told that the MMEA, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Marine Operations Force have mounted an operation involving some 400 sq miles," he said in a statement Sunday.

"The authorities are doing those level best to find them. I know this a difficult time for the families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," he said.

He also said boat operators should exercise greater caution when taking people to sea, especially when the weather conditions are rough.

The skipper of the boat and a crewman were found near Pulau Tiga at about 2pm on Sunday.

The boat was reported missing at 9.50pm Saturday after it set sail from Tanjung Aru jetty at 9am to Pulau Mengalum.

After attending a briefing on the SAR mission at the MMEA Sabah and Labuan headquarters here, China's Consul-General in Sabah Chen Peijie said that he hoped all 28 of the China nationals would be found safe.

"Yesterday was the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year and it should have been a happy day. Unfortunately, such a bad thing (missing tourists) happened," she said.