Army to set up board of inquiry to probe soldier’s disappearance during ‘Op Ukur’

MIRI (July 9) The Malaysian Army will set up a board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding a soldier’s disappearance while on duty during ‘Op Ukur’ in Limbang on June 18.

Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said the board, among other things, will probe whether foul play was involved in the incident.

“Secondly, we want to review and enhance our current standard operating procedures (SOPs). The role of the army during this Op Ukur was to provide security and protection to the Department of Survey and Mapping (Jupem) (officers) who were carrying out survey and border mapping.

“In this context, it was at the border between Malaysia and Brunei,” he told reporters at a press conference held at Kem Sri Miri here today.

He pointed out that such an operation was not new; in fact, the army had been performing the same duty in Sabah as well as at the borders in Peninsular Malaysia.

Pvt Muhammad Syafiq Hilmi Abd Halim, 22, went missing while on duty during ‘Op Ukur,’ conducted jointly with the Sarawak Department of Survey and Mapping (Jupem).

However, he was found alive but weak and dehydrated on July 6 –19 days after an extensive search and rescue (SAR) operation involving various agencies and departments, including the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Muhammad Hafizuddeain confirmed that the soldier has been reunited with his family, who were flown from Baling, Kedah on July 7.

“We had undergone several procedures and meeting with him and carried out a detailed health checks because we want to ensure that he is in good physical and mental conditions.

“Alhamdullilah, he was found to be healthy and in stable condition. Nonetheless, we will continue close monitoring for a few more days to make sure that he is in his best condition and does not have any trauma following this incident,” he said.

The 19-day SAR had covered an area of four kilometre radius on the Malaysian side and a one kilometre radius on the Brunei side.

He pointed out that using canine units (K9) had helped the SAR team in focusing on specific areas.

To a question, he said that the army could not dismiss the possibility of mystical elements being involved in the disappearance of the soldier.

“No matter how advanced we are in science and technology, there are always these mystical elements. We believe this, but it is very difficult to prove.

“Hence, this is why we adopted both conventional and traditional approach in tracking Muhammad Syafiq,” he said, adding that ustaz (religious teacher) and traditional medicine practitioners also assisted in the operation.

Muhammad Hafizuddeain thanked all agencies involved, including the Sarawak government, Royal Malaysia Police, Royal Malaysian Air Force, 12th Battalion of General Operations Force, Fire and Rescue Department, National Security Council (MKN) Sarawak, Jupem, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force and Brunei Gurkha Reserve Unit for their strong cooperation and commitment during the SAR.

Also present at the event were Eastern Field commander Lieutenant General Datuk Mohd Sofi Md Lepi and First Division Infantry’s 30th commander Major General Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis.