Search for missing commando at Malacca island now using sonar

The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a commando feared drowned off Pulau Undan since Tuesday (Feb 7) continued today with the use of sonar by the Field Survey Team from the National Hydrographic Centre’s Operations and Borders branch.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director (Malacca and Negeri Sembilan) Capt (Maritime) Iskandar Ishak said the search on the sixth day today started at 7am.

The 25-year-old victim went missing during a diving exercise.

“The Malaysian Armed Forces is employing the services of a team from the Special Warfare Training Centre (Pulpak) to assist dives for high-potential sonar detection.

“For today’s SAR, the search area has been divided into four sectors for assets at sea and one sector for airborne assets,” Iskandar said in a statement today.

He also said for today’s search operations, the team is using six assets comprising five sea assets and one air asset with a force of 189 personnel from various agencies.

As of 10am today, a number of potential spots were detected by the sonar team and divers have been conducting searches.

“The public and the maritime community with information about the incident can share their information directly to the Malacca and Negeri Sembilan Operations Centre at 06-3876730 and Mers 999 which is operating 24 hours to assist the operations,” he said.

On Feb 7, the victim, L/Kpl Edrin Baintim, who was from the army, believed to be from the Special Forces Regiment (Commandos), was feared drowned while undergoing diving training at 0.7 nautical miles southwest of Undan Island.

The victim went missing while taking part in the ‘Pari Harimau’ submarine course with six officers and 37 other participants from Pulpak Sungai Udang.

- Bernama

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