EFFORTS to locate Muhammad Fayyad Affan Mohamad Fakhri, a four-year-old autistic child who went missing from his home in Kampung Landak Paya, Kupang, near Baling, Kedah yesterday, have so far yielded no positive leads, according to local police.
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Superintendent Azmi Mokhtar, Head of Baling District Police, stated that the search and rescue (SAR) operation continues with the involvement of 150 personnel from various agencies.
The search operation, which was expanded today, also includes the use of police K9 units and personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) to help cover a wider area.
“We have been using the police K9 units since yesterday to search land areas, including oil palm plantations, but there have been no significant findings,” Azmi said during a press briefing at the search site.
“Today, we have deployed JBPM's K9 units to assist in searching the river, as we are concerned the child may have ventured into the nearby river, located approximately 50 metres from his home.”
The search is being conducted in three sectors: two land areas, one around the oil palm plantation and the other within a 100-metre radius of the child’s home.
The third sector focuses on the nearby river, which is being carefully monitored due to concerns that the child may have wandered there.
The authorities are also using fishing nets to trap any possible clues, as they suspect the child may have fallen into the river. “If the child did fall into the river, the nets will help us locate any potential evidence,” Azmi explained.
He added that the search efforts will continue, and if no breakthrough occurs, they will expand their search to the riverbank areas. The use of K9 units from both the police and JBPM will remain a key part of the ongoing SAR operation.
Earlier media reports indicated that Muhammad Fayyad, who has both autism and learning difficulties, was last seen leaving his home yesterday. – March 29, 2025
