KOTA KINABALU: The bodies of two fishermen who went missing in Kudat waters in Sabah have been found dead by coastguards.

       The victims were identified as Maclin Majaun, 29, and Aewaeindar Fedelex Olliong, 20.

       Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Kudat zone director Commander Boon Chin Chau said that Maclin was found at about 6pm Friday (March 4) and Aewaeindar was found at 8am Saturday (March 5).

       It is believed that the two fishermen were swept away by strong currents while putting up nets at Pirate Point Beach, Kampung Parapat Laut, Kudat on March 3.

       He said the search area covered 78 nautical square miles, and involved two MMEA boats assisted by police, Fire and Rescue Services Department as well as Civil Defence Force personnel.

       MMEA urged the maritime community to report any information related to incidents and emergencies occurring at sea to Maritime Malaysia at 088-611 858 (Kudat Operations Centre) or call the MERS 999 which operates around the clock.

       In an unrelated incident, MMEA foiled an attempt to smuggle subsidised petrol to a neighbouring country.

       MMEA Semporna Zone director Commander Norrimi Hassan said they found four barrels with 750l of petrol inside a speedboat whose skipper fled by jumping into the sea in waters near Kampung Batu, Semporna around 12.15pm on Friday.

       He said the value of items seized, including the boat and two engines, was about RM17,000.