KAPIT: The body of 41-year-old Seli Gong from Rumah Changgai, who was reported missing since Thursday, was found around 10am yesterday.
The body was found about one km from Rumah Changgai.
The Search and Rescue (SAR) team confirmed he was dead and people from his longhouse verified his identity. The body was then handed over to the Song Police.
The SAR team, which comprised eight personnel from Song Fire and Rescue Department led by Nasihin Jaum, was assisted by 20 longhouse volunteers, two health staff members and one Rela member.
It was around 10.30am on Friday that Song Fire and Rescue Department received a report from the Song District Police Department that a person identified as Seli Anak Gong had gone missing along Sungai Tekalit in Song the day before.
The informant Tebai Gilap, who is brother-in-law of the missing person, said Seli left his house around 7am on Thursday with another man identified as Manggun for Rumah Endah to buy items for ‘barang keperluan sembahyang’ (prayer and offering).
Manggun reported that he had initially brought Seli to Nanga Sepayang to plant paddy with the kampong folk which was followed by refreshment and a drinking session.
The villagers fearing for his safety then advised Seli not to go back as he was drunk.
Later, another man identified as Bayak from Nanga Latong saw an empty floating boat. When he enquired about it at Rumah Changgai concerned longhouse folk immediately organised a search for Seli.