2 S'porean kayakers missing in Johor, MFA assisting in ongoing search operations

The Singaporeans are believed to have been separated from the group due to adverse conditions.

Sulaiman Daud | August 10, 2019, 01:52 PM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has sent a team from the Consulate-General in Johor Bahru to assist in ongoing search operations for two Singaporeans reported missing in Mersing, Johor, Malaysia.

S'poreans believed to have drifted from main group

62-year-old Tan Eng Soon and 57-year-old Puah Geok Tin were reported missing while on a kayaking trip with 13 other Singaporeans.

On Aug. 9, the Malay Mail quoted Mersing's acting police chief Mohd Nor Mohd Isa, stating that the two Singaporeans are believed to have drifted from the main group.

"Both the victims started the kayaking activity from the jetty at 10am. At about 5:40pm, when they were in between Pulau Sri Buat, Pahang and Pulau Mertang in Endau waters, are believed to have separated from the group due to turbulent sea and strong winds."

Search and rescue mission mounted

A search and rescue mission was mounted at Penyabong jetty at about 3:30 pm on Aug. 9.

This involved personnel from the Endau Police Station, the Marine Operations Force, Civil Defence Department and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The two Singaporeans were believed to have been traveling in a bright-green kayak.

MFA rendering support to next-of-kin

On Aug. 10, an MFA spokesperson said that the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru has been in contact with the Malaysian authorities.

Consular assistance is also being rendered to the next-of-kin of the missing Singaporeans.

This is MFA's full statement:

"Since the two Singaporeans were reported missing on 9 August 2019, the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru has been in close contact with the Malaysian authorities who are coordinating the ongoing search operations.

A team from our Consulate-General is currently on the ground to provide assistance and close support.

MFA and the Consulate-General will continue to render consular assistance to the next-of-kin of the missing Singaporeans and support the ongoing search operation."

Top image by Oleksandr Hrebelnyk on Unsplash.