Members of search team encounter three big crocodiles

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Malaysian SAR team joining in the operation at Sungai Pandaruan.

Malaysian SAR team joining in the operation at Sungai Pandaruan.

Rooney @ Hakimi Abdullah Layang

Rooney @ Hakimi Abdullah Layang

LIMBANG: A search and rescue (SAR) team looking for missing Bruneian, Rooney @ Hakim Abdullah Layang, at Sungai Pandaruan was shocked to come across three large crocodiles on the river banks in the search area.

Limbang Fire Station chief Kurong Beki said the reptiles were sighted on the third day of the search which was yet to yield results since it started on Aug  30.

Sungai Pandaruan separates the Malaysian district of Limbang from Temburong district of Brunei.

They are linked by the Friendship Bridge joining the CIQs of both countries, which replaced the ferry service.

Limbang Zone chief Bonny Martin Saging Mato said the SAR operation, entering its fifth day yesterday, would continue the search for the 34-year-old man.

He said it was launched following a request from the Brunei authorities which received the report of a missing person at 5.25pm last Sunday. Rooney was last seen between 7 and 8pm on Saturday, clad in a blue shirt and green trousers.

The Bruneian, also known as Tam, is from Kampung Sembalang, Jalan Selapuh of the Temburong district of Brunei.

Bonny said the SAR operation is divided into three sectors; the first covering a radius of one kilometre while  Sector B and Sector C covers lower and upper Sungai Pandaruan respectively.

The search in sector A is carried out in collaboration with Brunei SAR authorities and includes a Scania vehicle and a motorised boat.

Department of Civil Defence, Brunei Police and locals from Temburong districts are also involved in the operation.