FOR POSTMORTEM: Paulus’ body being carried from the MMEA ship to the police vehicle for the trip to hospital.
KUCHING: The body of a crane operator of a ship was found floating near Teluk Bandung at Santubong here yesterday morning after he was believed to have fallen into the sea last Thursday.
The body of Paulus Ajang, 45, was discovered by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) about four nautical miles from Teluk Bandung around 10.30am.
Paulus from Tutoh Baram was said to have fallen into the sea during rough seas amidst foul weather on Thursday.
He was discovered missing from the vessel by its captain Chuo Kong Wat around 8.30pm that day, and he immediately lodged a police report.
Enforcement agencies including police and Fire and Rescue Department launched a search by monitoring the seaside not far from where the incident took place.
MMEA Kuching district operation director Commander Sharef Steve Macqueen Abdullah said the body was found by five of his personnel within 24 hours after the operation was launched.
“Paulus’ remains will be sent to Sarawak General Hospital for a postmortem,” he told reporters at the MMEA jetty at Muara Tebas here yesterday.
Sharef Steve advised fishermen or whoever going to sea to take extra precautions during the monsoon season like putting on life jackets.
Should any untoward incident happen, members of the public should call them.
“The information has to be conveyed to us as soon as possible for us to launch a search-and-rescue operation even if there is no chance to save the victim alive,” he said.
In case of an emergency at sea, the public should call 999 or the agency operation room at 082-432544.