Body of drowned policeman found, M-16 guns recovered
PUBLISHED ONNovember 16, 2013 2:24 PMByEsther Landau
LUNDU, Malaysia - Rescuers today found the body of Corporal Ahmad Zaidi Abdul Manan who went missing after a boat carrying six General Operations Force (GOF) personnel, capsized during the filming of a documentary off the coast here yesterday. His body was found floating in the waters between the coast of Telaga Air and Rambungan at 5.06pm
The victim from the GOF Battalion 11 in Batu Kawa, went missing when the boat capsized about 500 metres from shore near Kampung Stoh Muda, Jalan Sempadi-Lundu.
Ahmad Zaidi was one of the Tiger Platoon 11th GOF Battalion, who served during the Lahad Datu incursion five months ago.
He and his colleagues were involved in the filming of a documentary on the Lahad Datu incursion when the boat capsized in the choppy waters at 3pm on Friday.
It is learned that the documentary was slated to be screened at the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) dinner on December 6.
Sarawak deputy police commissioner Datuk Low Hong Soon said he was informed by the Search and Rescue team that the body was found between the area.
The body was later sent to Lundu Hospital for post-mortem.
Earlier this morning, rescuers managed to retrieve three M-16 guns which also went missing during the mishap.
Meanwhile, the victim's elder brother Zamren Manan, 41, said Ahmad Zaidi Manan who left behind a wife and an eight-year old daughter, had just celebrated his 38th birthday two weeks ago.
"He was a warm and friendly person, the kind of person who would always put others before him," he said.
Law said he regretted the tragedy as the project was for a noble cause to highlight the sacrifices of the security personnel during Ops Daulat.
Law said the police would look into the welfare and assist Zaidi's family.
A total of 114 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Civil Defence Department, Marine Police and the General Operations Force were involved in the operation.
The operation was also aided with the addition of the Air Wing PC6 Pilatus Porter fixed wing aircraft.