KOTA KINABALU: A fishing trip by two friends in Kudat on New Year's Day ended in a tragedy when one drowned while the other is still missing.

       The two - identified as Kamri Kail, 51, and Laurun Maujun, 53 - had gone to sea near Kg Limbuak Laut and Pulau Balambangan at about 8am on Jan 1 in a small wooden boat.

       Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Kudat zone director Commander Boon Chin Chau said their families called for help on Tuesday (Jan 4) when they did not not return home.

       It is learnt that the two usually spend about two days at sea when they fish.

       Commander Boon said, Laurun’s body was found washed ashore near Kg Selamat off Balambangan island at about 3pm on Tuesday.

       “The body was handed over to the police for further action. We are working closely with other security agencies to search for the other person,” he said on Wednesday (Jan 5).

       Commander Boon advised the public to refrain from carrying out sea or water related activities until the weather returns to normal.

       Many parts of Sabah have been facing floods and continuous rains since Dec 31.