22-6-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A member of the 7th Battalion Border Regiment (RS), stationed at Kem Kidurong in Bintulu, has gone missing while on duty during a joint operation with the Sarawak Department of Survey and Mapping (JUPEM) along the Malaysia-Brunei border.
The missing soldier, identified as Private Muhammad Syafiq Hilmi Abd Halim, was part of an escort team providing security during ‘Op Ukur,’ a survey operation conducted in the Ulu Tutong to Bebuloh area, along the Malaysia-Brunei border, from June 11 to September 2. The operation was being supervised by the 31st Border Brigade Headquarters.
According to a statement from the Malaysian Army (TDM), Private Muhammad Syafiq’s absence was noticed at noon on June 18, when the group leader discovered he was missing from the rear position of the group. “The incident occurred about two kilometres along the Malaysia-Brunei border ridge from the E500 border marker towards E600,” the statement read.
Immediately after the soldier’s disappearance was noticed, efforts to search for him were launched by the group, comprising two TDM personnel and five JUPEM members. However, their initial attempts to locate the missing soldier were unsuccessful.
Subsequently, the TDM intensified search operations from June 19, with the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) and other agencies coordinated by the National Security Council (MKN). The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (ABDB) also deployed their assets to assist in the search efforts.
