MIRI: A man is believed to have drowned after his fishing boat capsized in choppy waters off Kuala Bakam on Friday night.
Lidih Tahal, 78, a Melanau from Kuala Bakam (located about 30km from Miri City) had gone fishing alone.
According to some villagers met by thesundaypost in Kuala Bakam during the Search and Rescue Operations (SAR) on Saturday morning, the energetic fisherman went in his 80 horse power twin engine boat at about 5pm on Friday.
He has not come to shore since.
The SAR comprises Miri Police, JPA(3) and Miri firemen.
Sea conditions on Friday night were choppy and dangerous due to heavy rain.
Lidih’s boat was found not far from Kuala Bakam, with it engines still attached early the next morning.
“Last time Uncle Lidih used to go with his son, but that Friday evening he went alone,” one of the villagers said yesterday.
Lambir assemblyman Datuk Aidan Wing and Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui attended a SAR gotong-royong programme to clean up the river at Kampung Bakam yesterday.
The body of Lidih has yet to be found.
The scene at Kuala Baram started to be crowded by the victim’s family members praying for his safe return but prepared for the worst.
The mishap was the first of its kind in the area.