LAHAD DATU: An elderly man has been reported missing since May 26 while searching for bird's nests in the Gua Tepadung area at Mile 17 here.
Lahad Datu OCPD Asst Comm Dzulbaharin Ismail said the disappearance of the 61-year-old victim, who is from Sandakan, was only reported to the police at 11.35am on Sunday (May 31).
"Initial investigations found that the victim had entered the cave area with two friends before he was believed to have become separated from the group at about 7pm,” he said in a statement here on Monday (June 1).
Dzulbaharin said based on information received, the victim was last seen wearing a brown shirt and brown long trousers, as well as rubber shoes and that he was also reported to have been carrying a climbing rope used for collecting bird's nests.
Following the report, he said a search and rescue operation was activated from 2pm Sunday to locate the victim, who is believed to still be in the vicinity of the cave.
"The search operation is being carried out with the cooperation of various rescue agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force,” he said.
Dzulbaharin also urged members of the public with any information regarding the victim to contact investigating officer Roniey Lajius at 010-4631071 or report to the nearest police station to assist in the search operation. — Bernama
