KOTA TINGGI: A body of a 39-year-old man was found floating in the Singapore Strait, believed to be one of the missing victims in the boat capsize incident in Teluk Ramunia here on Thursday (Jan 20).

       State Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the Johor Baru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) received information on the discovery from the Singaporean authorities at noon on Saturday (Jan 22).

       He added that the body was found about five nautical miles (9km) south-west of the Changi Naval Base in Singapore.

       "The man is believed to be one of the victims of the capsized boat in Teluk Ramunia on Thursday (Jan 20).

       "The body was found floating about 17.7 nautical miles (32km) from where the boat was reported capsized," he said in a statement here on Sunday (Jan 23).

       He added that, based on identification documents found on the body, the man is believed to be one of the missing three victims in the incident.

       "Investigations revealed that the victim had been dead for more than two days.

       "The body is now with the Singapore authorities and we are awaiting confirmation from the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore," he added.

       Nurul Hizam also said that the search-and-rescue operations are still ongoing and have covered a total area of 54 square nautical miles square (100km2) and a 20km shoreline search.

       The operation involved 76 personnel and officers from MMEA, police, Fire and Rescue Department, the Royal Malaysian Navy, Civil Defence Force, and the maritime community.