MENUMBUK — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a 15-year-old boy who went missing while swimming at Batu Linting beach, Sunset Villa here, has been officially called off today after seven days of extensive searching yielded no leads.
The victim, identified as Jason Alexander Jonathan, was reported missing on May 29 after being swept away by strong waves. His 13-year-old brother, Jeremy Evans Jonathan, was successfully rescued by family members during the initial incident.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Center said the decision to end the SAR operation at 5 pm today was made following a joint discussion among local authorities and rescue agencies.
“The decision to call off the seventh day of the operation was reached after a discussion chaired by the Kuala Penyu District Officer, alongside the Menumbuk Assistant District Officer, Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM), Beaufort District Police Chief, and the Kuala Penyu Fire and Rescue Station Chief,” the department said in a statement today.
Any decisions to resume searching in the future will depend on new directives and ongoing assessments by the operations management.
On the final day of the operation, which began at 8.30 am, the Fire and Rescue Department’s Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) deployed rescue boats to conduct surface searches. The search radius was expanded up to 40 kilometers, spanning from the waters of Kuala Penyu to Binsulok, Pulau Tiga, and the initial location where the victim was last seen.
The incident first unfolded on May 29, when the Sabah Operations Center received an emergency call via MERS 999 at 5.22 pm. A nine-member team from the Kuala Penyu Fire and Rescue Station, including five PPDA personnel, was dispatched to the scene, located 21 kilometers away.
Throughout the week-long operation, the Fire and Rescue Department worked alongside other enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM).
