The disappearance of Aidil Asyraf, a teen who went missing while searching for a cow
That evening, he said goodbye as usual and headed out, but by 8pm, when he had not returned, his family grew worried.
MELAKA - What began as a routine task for a 15-year-old boy with a learning disability has turned into an intense, ongoing search effort involving firefighters, police and local villager, also known by his nickname “Gemuk,” has been missing since the evening of June 4 after entering a forested area in Kampung Permatang Pasir, Alai, to search for a lost cow. As of June 5, he has yet to be found.
Aidil, the second of six siblings, was known in his village for assisting his uncle in herding cattle. Despite his condition as a person with disabilities (OKU) due to learning difficulties, he was accustomed to helping with daily farm tasks.
His mother, Siti Norehan Azhar, recalled that around 6.30pm on Wednesday, he asked her for RM3 to buy a drink before informing her of his plan to go into the nearby forested area to check on a herd of cows.
It was a task he was familiar with, Aidil often helped his uncle herd and monitor the cows, usually returning home at about 7.30pm.
That evening, he said goodbye as usual and headed out, but by 8pm, when he had not returned, his family grew worried.
They initially conducted their own search in the surrounding area. One of his cousins ventured deep into the forest and began calling out for him.
The cousin even recited the azan (Islamic call to prayer), which reportedly led to a breakthrough: the missing cow was found in an old, stagnant pond located deep within the forest, but there was no trace of Aidil.
By 11.54pm, after hours of fruitless searching, the family alerted the authorities.
The Melaka Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call and quickly dispatched a team from the Padang Temu Fire and Rescue Station.
The search operation was soon escalated with the involvement of additional units, including the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm), the police K9 unit and members of the community.
The forested area where Aidil disappeared is vast and partially undeveloped, with two large, abandoned ponds.
On Thursday morning, June 5, the authorities continued their search efforts.
The operation was further strengthened by the arrival of additional personnel, including 11 firefighters, eight police officers, three Civil Defence Force members and two tracking dogs from the K9 unit.
Aidil’s mother, Norehan, spoke to reporters on June 5 and expressed deep concern for her son’s safety.
She described him as a quiet and independent boy who rarely socialised and preferred being close to home.
According to her, this was the first time he had ever gone missing. She remained hopeful that he had not wandered far and that he would soon be found.
“I believe he’s still around here somewhere, maybe lost or trapped.
“He’s not the type to run off,” she said.
The search continues.
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