Family touched by efforts to find missing sea bather

MARANG: The family of Wan Nashaifudin Wan Latif, 48, who has been missing since Friday (Dec 25) after he was swept out to sea at Pantai Jambu Bongkok, is grateful and impressed with the efforts of various parties to find him.

His sister, Wan Faizah, 50, said that the search and rescue (SAR) crew, locals and village community management community (MPKK) have been looking out for the welfare of her family members -- over 25 of them - while they have been waiting at the location for news.

"We are constantly kept up to date and villagers have joined the solat hajat and Yasin recital we've been conducting throughout this period.

"The MPKK found us a chalet nearby to stay and meals are prepared for us. Alhamdulillah, it has helped us deal with the worry of waiting for Wan Nashaifudin to be found," she told Bernama today.

Wan Nashaifudin, a resident of Pusat Jagaan Baitul Cakna Lelaki in Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu, is said to have gone to the beach to bathe with six friends who are residents of the shelter's branch in Jambu Bongkok.

But joy turned to tragedy when he was frolicking in the sea at around 6.30pm and was swept out by a strong current.

A SAR operation was quickly launched after the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received a distress call at 6.37pm.

Wan Faizah said her brother -- a bachelor - would normally inform the family of his whereabouts, but this time he did not.

"It is strange and surprising because suddenly I received a call from his friend saying that he was missing at sea.

"I never expected him to go far to Jambu Bongkok because even if he is going to a near place, he would tell us. We are praying hard he will be found soon," she said.

So far, there are 101 people from various departments like the Police (PDRM), JBPM, Marine Police, Civil Defence Force (APM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) and People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) involved in the operation.

Now into its third day, the operation has combined aerial surveillance by two JBPM and PDRM helicopters with the use of six APMM jet skis and two boats.

-- BERNAMA