Body of 'kelong' worker who fell into sea found, says MMEA

SHAH ALAM (Bernama):The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has confirmed the recovery of a body believed to be that of one of the two ‘kelong’ (offshore platform) workers who fell into the sea three days ago.

Selangor maritime director Maritime Captain Mohd Rosli Kassim said the victim’s body was found by the public at about 7.30 am on Saturday (Sept 18), at about 0.1 nautical miles east of Pulau Tengah near here.

Based on the initial identification by the man's employer, the body is believed to be that of a 34-year-old Indonesian man known as Priadi.

"The victim was reported to have fallen into the sea along with another victim Saw Bearry Htoo, 30, a Myanmar national, who has yet to be found. Both victims were last seen wearing a white KS Aquaculture shirt and blue pants before being reported missing at sea,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Rosli said the victim’s body was taken to the Pulau Ketam jetty for identification purposes and was handed over to the police for further action.

He added that the search and rescue operation at Pulau Tengah waters was suspended at 7.30 pm due to limited visibility and will continue at 7 am on Sunday (Sept 19)

The operation is a joint effort between the MMEA, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, National Disaster Management Agency and local fishermen. - Bernama