Mersing: An imam from a mosque in Pontian drowned after falling from a boat while fishing near the Kampung Semaloi Jetty in Endau here early this morning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fire and Rescue Station chief Assistant Fire Superintendent Mohd Alias Hussin stated that Al Hafiz Yunus, 45, was discovered at 12 pm by members of the Water Rescue Team (PPDA), approximately 100 meters from where he was last seen. The station received an emergency call at 2.25 am, prompting the dispatch of 10 personnel to the scene and the initiation of a rescue operation involving the police and the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (RELA).

Upon arrival, the Operations Response Team conducted a surface search around the area where Al Hafiz was believed to have fallen, about 100 meters from the jetty. However, the search operation was temporarily halted at 3.30 am due to safety concerns and poor visibility on the river surface.

The rescue operation resumed at 8 am, utilizing two boats and assisted by 10 members from the Mersing and Skudai PPDA. The PPDA members also employed the windshield wiper technique to locate the victim. The victim’s body was eventually discovered by PPDA members at noon, approximately 100 meters from where he was reported missing, and was subsequently handed over to the police for further action.

Meanwhile, Mersing district police chief Supt Abdul Razak Abdullah Sani confirmed the incident and stated that the case had been classified as sudden death.