Elderly fisherman's body found on Melaka beach

MELAKA: The body of an elderly fisherman was found lying face down along the beach near Jalan Residen, Padang Temu, here yesterday.

Melaka Tengah district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Halim Abas, said police received information about the discovery through the MERS 999 emergency line at 11.13am.

He said a man reported finding the body near the beach opposite 8 Residence, Jalan Residen, Taman Padang Temu.

"Police found the victim, a 74-year-old man identified as Mohammad Chalip.

"Investigations found that the victim was a fisherman from Sungai Duyong jetty and was known among fishermen in the area," he said in a statement.

Halim said based on the account of an 8 Residence security guard, the witness saw an unattended fishing boat while conducting a patrol at about 10.30am.

"The witness continued the patrol before spotting the victim lying face down along the beach.

"The victim's son said his father left home at about 7am for the jetty to carry out his daily routine of fishing at sea.

"The witness also said the victim suffered from high blood pressure.

"The case has been classified as sudden death, and the body was claimed by family members for burial," he said.