Missing survey dept officer found dead at Malaysia-Brunei border

Arthur’s condolence message on the death of Donysius Gabriel Goh. Photo: NRES/Facebook

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Mar 27: Am officer from the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem) who was reported missing while on duty at the Malaysia-Brunei border was found dead on Wednesday (Mar 25).

In a statement, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, said the body of Donysius Gabriel Goh was found in a river, about 500 metres from the last location where he was reported missing.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and the entire Jupem community, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the late Donysius’ wife and his two children, aged 12 and 10.

“This loss is deeply heartbreaking, especially considering that he was serving in a challenging operation in the interest of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.

“The ministry will ensure that all forms of assistance and moral support are coordinated as best as possible to help the family through this difficult time,” he said in the statement which was posted on the NRES’ Facebook page.

The statement went on to say that the deceased served as a general assistant H1 at the Miri topography office and had shown dedication in serving the nation while carrying out official duties involving the demarcation and measurement of the international land boundary between Malaysia and Brunei.

Arthur also expressed appreciation to the Royal Brunei Air Force for deploying a helicopter to retrieve the body from an area which was difficult to access, as well as to Brunei’s police force and RIPAS Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan for the forensic and post-mortem processes.

He said both countries are now focused on documentation processes and ensuring all procedures in Brunei are completed before bringing the body back to Malaysia.

According to Bernama, Donysius, aged 36, was reported missing while on duty at the Malaysia-Brunei border on Mar 17.

It was reported that he was believed to have been swept away by strong currents while crossing a river in the Ulu Temburong area in Lawas during an international Malaysia-Brunei boundary survey operation together with five other colleagues. — DayakDaily