JEMPOL: An elderly man who was reported missing after entering an oil palm plantation in Felda Palong 3 on Sunday was found safe on Wednesday (June 3) after a search and rescue (SAR) operation that entered its fourth day.
Deputy Fire Superintendent II Mohd Jefri Jamal said the victim, Abdullah Alias, 78, was found by a plantation worker at about 12.10pm in Felda Palong 4 oil palm plantation, about 3.5km from the location where he was reported missing.
He said Abdullah was subsequently handed over to the police and then taken to a health clinic for a medical examination.
"Medical personnel at the clinic confirmed he is in a stable condition, although exhausted after surviving on only the mineral water he had brought with him into the plantation,” he told Bernama.
The SAR team comprised two senior officers and 18 personnel from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, including members of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm), and two K9 detection dogs.
Also involved in the operation were 22 officers and personnel from the police, four members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 20 volunteers from the local community.
Based on media reports, Abdullah had failed to return home after entering the plantation on the evening of May 31. His motorcycle was later discovered within the plantation area, prompting the launch of the SAR operation. — Bernama
