Body of fisherman found after family did ‘solat hajat’
MIRI: The body of a local fisherman, who had gone missing for nearly one week, was found by fishermen passing a spot off Siwak Beach near here around 6pm yesterday.
The beach is about a 40minute drive from Kampung Kuala Sibuti, which was where Ebrahim Yaman was last seen alive.
The body was then taken to Kampung Bakam, where it was received by the police who later arranged for the transportation to Miri Hospital mortuary. The family had been notified. Ebrahim, who was the brother of Kampung Kuala Sibuti headman Abdullah Yaman, set out to sea soon after sunrise on Tuesday but later that evening, villagers found his boat washed ashore at Kuala Niah – Ebrahim was nowhere to be seen then.
A search-and-recover (SAR) was set up immediately, comprising local villagers as well as members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, Marine Police and Royal Malaysia Police.
On Friday evening, Abdullah and his family conducted ‘solat hajat’ at the rivermouth of Sungai Sibuti, where they were joined by other villagers.
When met, Abdullah said his family was thankful not only to their fellow villagers, but also to those from Kampung Kuala Niah and other neighbouring villages, who came together and joined the SAR operation.
“This ‘solat hajat’ was meant to seek guidance from Allah. We also recited the Quran as a way to calm ourselves,” he said.
It is learnt that the SAR team had been covering the areas, on land and offshore, between Kuala Sibuti and Suai since the disappearance of Ebrahim.
Abdullah, on behalf of his family, also expressed thanks to Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus – also the Bekenu assemblywoman – for their assistance to the SAR operation.
Yesterday, his family received a visit from Rosey.
“I personally thank the relevant authorities for their help in finding the missing fisherman, and also in providing comfort to the family,” said Rosey.