SEMPORNA, 12 September 2025 – A tragedy struck at the Joint Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) – Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) post on Pulau Mataking, Semporna, when one soldier was found dead and another remains missing while on duty yesterday.

The incident came to light around 6.00 pm when both soldiers were unaccounted for during a routine roll call. A search was immediately launched by on-site military personnel, later reinforced with boats provided by a nearby resort.

At approximately 9.25 pm, search teams discovered Private Muhammad Irfan Haiqal Abdullah, 20, unconscious on the island’s shoreline. Despite immediate CPR administered by the resort’s medical team, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second soldier, Lance Corporal Muhammad Zulkarnain Jaffar, 27, is still missing. Search operations are ongoing with the support of military and resort boats around the Pulau Mataking waters.

The late Private Irfan’s remains will be transferred to Semporna Hospital for further procedures.

Both soldiers were from the 5th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (5 RAMD), under C Company, Kem Batu 3, Kluang, Johor.

Condolences and prayers (Al-Fatihah) have been extended to the bereaved family.

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Seorang anggota tentera ditemukan maut, manakala seorang lagi masih hilang ketika sedang bertugas di Pos Gabungan PDRM-ATM di Pulau Mataking Semporna, semalam.

Kehilangan mereka dikatakan disedari kira-kira jam 6 petang apabila masing-masing tidak berada dalam barisan semasa semakan rutin.

Berikutan itu, operasi pencarian digerakkan dengan bantuan semua anggota tentera di lokasi, sebelum mendapatkan bantuan bot daripada pihak resort berhampiran.

Hasil pencarian kemudian menemukan seorang daripada anggota terbabit, Muhammad Irfan Haiqal Abdullah, 20, dalam keadaan tidak sedarkan diri di kawasan pantai di pulau berkenaan kira-kira jam 9.25 malam.

Pasukan perubatan resort segera memberikan bantuan pernafasan (CPR), namun mangsa disahkan meninggal dunia.

Seorang lagi anggota, Muhammad Zulkarnain Jaffar, 27, masih hilang dan usaha pencarian sedang diteruskan dengan bantuan bot tentera serta bot resort sekitar kawasan Pulau Mataking.

Mayat mangsa akan dibawa ke Hospital Semporna untuk tindakan lanjut.

Difahamkan kedua-dua anggota berkenaan adalah daripada Batalion Ke-5 Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (5 RAMD) dan ditempatkan di Kompeni C Kem Batu 3, Kluang, Johor.

Salam takziah, Al-Fatihah..