Sim Tan Pheng’s body was found in Sungai Pengeran around 12.30pm Saturday.
KUCHING (June 5): It was a sorrowful end for the family and friends of Sim Tan Pheng who was found dead in Sungai Pengeran around 12.30pm today.
Kuching district police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah confirmed that the family has identified the body to be Sim’s.
“The case is currently being classified as sudden death,” said Ahsmon who reminded the public to not make any assumptions on this case as a way to respect the deceased’s family.
He also added that the police will expedite the process for the family to claim the body.
Sim, who had Parkinson’s disease and partial dementia, failed to return home to his house at Lorong Bayor Bukit 22 in Tabuan Jaya around 4pm after going out for a walk.
His daughter Jia Ying had called for help on Facebook, asking people to be on the lookout for a skinny man about 162cm tall wearing grey pants.
In an updated Facebook post today, she acknowledged that her father’s body has been found.
Sim’s widow Mdm Jong told The Borneo Post last night that her husband left home for a walk when she was taking a nap.
She said only she and her husband were home at the time.
“He does go out for a walk once in a while and usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. But today, he hasn’t come home and we have been waiting.
“Those staying along the same lane (Bayor Bukit 22) know my husband but so far no one has seen him. We appeal to those who know his whereabouts to call us,” she added.
Earlier today, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) team from the Tabuan Jaya fire station were mobilised to Sungai Pengeran after receiving a call at 12.30pm of a body found there.
There, the deceased’s body was pulled out of the river before it was handed over to the police for further action.
It was estimated that Sim’s body was found some 1.2km away from his house.