MIRI: The Malaysian army will closely monitor Private Muhammad Syafiq Hilmi Abdul Halim, 22, during his recovery period after he was found safe inside a jungle in Limbang on July 6, according to army chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
During a press conference at the 20th Battalion of the Royal Malay Army Regiment (20 RAMD), he confirmed that Syafiq would undergo a period of observation before being allowed to rest in his village.
“We will monitor Syafiq first, and after this, we will let him rest in his village in Kedah,” said he said.
The press conference also served as a venue for Muhammad Hafizuddeain to present awards to 15 various government agencies involved in the 19-day search-and-rescue (SAR) operation.
He acknowledged the possibility of mystical elements in the incident, saying, “We can’t deny, there are always mystical elements. In SAR, we do conventional methods and, at the same time, try traditional ways with bomohs and ustaz. The locals are aware that the place is quite ‘hard’.”
Syafiq, a member of the 7th Battalion of the Border Regiment, went missing on June 18 while participating in an operation (Ops Ukur) with the Survey and Mapping Department at the Malaysia-Brunei border in Limbang.
He was found safe by the SAR team at 11.29 am on July 6 after 19 days.
The operation, which started on June 21, involved multiple government agencies, local villagers, and the Brunei Armed Forces.
Muhammad Hafizuddeain highlighted the cooperation received from the Brunei army and other agencies, saying, “Thankfully, when we say our members are missing, other agencies continue to help us find them, including Brunei. They asked and lent their hand to help us.”
Syafiq was discovered still equipped with his gear and weapon, albeit in a weakened state due to hunger and dehydration.
He had discharged his live bullets to attract the SAR team’s attention and was found without shoes, though his weapon was still intact, said Muhammad Hafizuddeain
His mother, Zawiyah Salleh, 55, was flown to Sarawak by the armed forces on July 6 to reunite with her son.
Unfortunately, his father, Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir, 51, could not be present due to illness.
The ceremony (today’s ceremony held at 20RAMD) was attended by Syafiq, his mother, and other top army officials, including Eastern Field Commander Lt General Datuk Mohd Sofi Md Lepi and First Infantry Division Commander Maj Gen Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis.
The SAR operation officially ended on July 7, marking the successful conclusion of a challenging and unexpected mission.
