Father-in-law hopes missing Sarawak Regatta rower can be found as soon as possible

KUCHING (Oct 19): A family member of 34-year-old Mohammad Ikhmal Sama’ail, one of the five missing regatta rowers, hopes he will be found as soon as possible regardless of the circumstances.

His father-in-law Rajuna Saini, 59, shared the family received a call on the incident yesterday at 7.30pm.

“Before this happened, I last saw him on Wednesday. We had invited my wife and I for dinner at his place, which is just next door. This wasn’t his first time participating in the Sarawak Regatta with the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) — he started last year,” he told reporters when met at the search and rescue (SAR) site near the Bintawa industrial area.

Rajuna, who lives in Kampung Tanjung Bundong in Kota Samarahan, said Mohammad Ikhmal was a strong swimmer and had experience in regattas.

He described Mohammad Ikhmal as a friendly and cheerful person, who could get along with anyone.

“He loved handiwork. Sometimes I would see him weaving baskets or making things like wall hangings for mirrors or tables. Crafting was his passion and there was nothing unusual before the incident,” he added.

Rajuna also mentioned prior to joining UKPS, Mohammad Ikhmal worked as an auxiliary police officer stationed in Bintulu.