MMEA seeks Thailand’s help to locate teenagers feared drowned at Tok Bali Beach

PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA�� is seeking Thailand’s cooperation to locate two teenage boys, feared drowned at Pantai Tok Bali, here, last Sunday.

Its District 10 director, Captain (Maritime�� Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the search operation which entered its fifth day yesterday still failed to trace the missing teens.

Assistance from the Thai authorities was now necessary because of the concern that the teenagers could have been swept away to the neighbouring country’s waters, he told reporters, here, yesterday.

Nurul Hizam said the search operation yesterday by sea, air and land was intensified despite the rough sea condition due to the current monsoon season.

A total of 118 members from various government departments and agencies were involved in the operation, he added.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department assistant director, Hussin Abdul Rahman said the department had applied to its headquarters in Putrajaya for the use of a helicopter and tracker dogs in the operation.

In the 4.13pm incident, the two teenagers, identified as Ahmad Haziem Anizam, 14, and his friend, Amir Azfa Rafar, 13, from Selising, here, were feared drowned while swimming at Pantai Tok Bali.

Two of their friends, Muhammad Firdaus Mustafa, 16, of Kampung Taweh in Gaal, and Amir Shahir Zakima, 13, of Kampung Nering, here, managed to swim to safety.

The four went to the beach for a picnic and swim when the incident of big waves occurred. RAH MOng implemented by 16 related agencies and stakeholders, he said. — Bernama