KOTA TINGGI: A 49-year-old man who went missing while swimming off Desaru Coast here has been found dead.

       Penawar Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Masri Ibrahim said the victim's body was found at 5.30am on Thursday (Dec 28).

       "The body was found about 5km from where he was last seen and the victim was identified by his wife," he told The Star.

       In a statement on Wednesday (Dec 27), Masri said the department received an emergency call at 10.12am that day.

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       “The man was enjoying some recreational activities at the beach with his soon when ... he was washed away by currents and went missing.

       "His 15-year-old son was saved by members of the public before we arrived at the scene," he said.

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       When contacted, Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Hussin Zamora confirmed that the man was found dead and is believed to have drowned.

       He said police received information about the man's disappearance at 1.37pm on Wednesday.

       "A search and rescue operation was also launched with assistance from the fire and rescue department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Bandar Penawar health clinic and Desaru Coast auxiliary police," he said.