KOTA TINGGI: A Singaporean man who went missing off the Malaysian coast of Desaru was found drowned on Thursday (Dec 28).
The 49-year-old was in the water off The Westin Desaru Coast Resort a day earlier when he was swept away by waves.
Penawar Fire and Rescue Station operations commander Senior Assistant Superintendent Masri Ibrahim said members of the public discovered the body at 5.30am.
“The victim, who wore a black pair of shorts, was found by members of the public about 5km from where he was reported to have gone missing.
“The victim’s wife has also identified his body,” he told Bernama on Thursday, adding that the body was sent to the Kota Tinggi Hospital.
Masri said on Wednesday the man and his 16-year-old son were hit by waves while frolicking at the water’s edge before being swept away.
However, the boy was rescued by the public and sent to the Kota Tinggi Hospital.
Masri also said that even before the incident, a red flag had been raised at the beach to warn visitors not to engage in water activities due to weather conditions.
A spokesperson for Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Thursday that it has been rendering consular support assistance and support to the family of the deceased through the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru.
“MFA extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” the spokesperson said. “MFA would also like to thank the Johor authorities, in particular the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), for their search and rescue efforts over the last two days.”
Desaru, a coastal town in the state of Johor, is popular among Singapore tourists for its resorts and beaches. It is about a 90-minute ferry ride from Singapore.