According to Channel NewsAsia, a local fisherman found a woman’s body in the waters off Kemaman, Terengganu yesterday (14th August) while search and rescue efforts to locate two missing Singaporean kayakers entered its 6th day.
The body was later confirmed to be that of one of the missing kayakers, 57-year-old Josephine Puah Geok Tin. Her son, Louis Pang, confirmed the news in an emotional Facebook post, which reads,
“Dear Mummy, you’ve led a wonderful and glorious life. You did what you love to do until the very end. Rest in peace, mummy. I love you. Now spread your wings and be free. I promise to bring you back home safe with me.”
Josephine Puah
Posted by Louis Smile on Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Josephine Puah and another kayaker, Mr Tan Eng Soon, 62, were reportedly separated from a group while kayaking near the Endau Islands near Johor last Thursday (8th August).
According to Bernama, Maritime Malaysia’s Mersing Zone Director, Commander Haris Fadzillah Abdullah, stated that the body was fully clothed along with a life vest when it was found in the water at around 12.50pm about 5 nautical miles (approx 1.9km) from Kuala Kemaman. Puah’s body was then brought to the Kemaman Hospital at 4.30pm where she was identified by her family.
A day before Puah’s body was found (13th August), local fishermen found a kayak that was 80 nautical miles (approx 148km) away from where they were last seen. The kayak contained the missing kayakers’ personal items which were identified by their families. The boat was also confirmed to be the one used by both of them when they went missing.
Meanwhile, Mr Tan is still considered missing as search and rescue efforts are still underway. So, stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Our condolences go out to Josephine Puah’s family and hope they have the strength to endure such a difficult time.
Also read: BREAKING: Parents Confirm Body of Female Caucasian Found Along Seremban Stream is Nora Anne