Mokhtar Dahari Academy trainee feared drowned in Baling

A Mokhtar Dahari Academy trainee was feared drowned after he went missing while swimming in a river near his hometown in Kampung Padang Temu, Batu 48, Baling yesterday.

Mohd Saiful Izzudin Mustaffa, 14, was swimming with his friends about 1pm when he suddenly went missing.

His friends alerted the victim’s family after they failed to locate him.

Kedah Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohamadul Ehsan Mohd Zain said rescuers from the Baling Fire and Rescue station launched a search and rescue mission after being alerted.

“The team led by Baling fire station chief Rahimi Ali carried out surface searching to locate the victim,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Mokhtar Dahari Academy in a Facebook posting yesterday evening confirmed that Mohd Saiful was a trainee at the academy.

“Mohd Saiful and the other trainees in the Under 14 and Under 15 squad are on semester break and had returned to their respective hometowns between Mar 17 to 19.

“We wish to appeal to everyone to pray for his safe return,” the academy said.

The search and rescue mission is still ongoing.

NST