KUALA LUMPUR - A member of the Malaysian Army’s elite commando unit Grup Gerak Khas (GGK) died during a military diving exercise off the coast of Kuantan, Pahang.

The man who died - Corporal Mohd Haswansir Julnasir, 30 - was from the 22nd Commando Regiment, and had been reported missing on July 3 while taking part in the exercise.

In a statement on July 6, the Malaysian Army said: “He was last seen at around 12.15pm while conducting a diving operation using a closed circuit breathing apparatus in the waters near Dock Port, Kuantan.

“The soldier was part of the Special Boat Squadron, a highly trained unit specialising in amphibious assaults and maritime infiltration. The exercise was part of routine high-level training to maintain operational readiness.”

Following his disappearance, the army launched an immediate search and rescue operation, with assistance from various agencies.

“His body was found by a Royal Malaysian Navy surface patrol team at about 10am on July 5, some 500m from the location where he was last seen.

“All his equipment... was found intact with the body,” the army said.

Cpl Haswansir’s body was then taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan for a postmortem.

“On the evening of July 5, his body was flown home to Semporna, Sabah aboard a Royal Malaysian Air Force C-130 aircraft from Kuantan Air Force Base to Tawau.

“He was laid to rest at the Gusung Melanta Tesi village cemetery on Pulau Bum Bum at 2.30am the following morning,” the army added.

It will be establishing a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident in detail.

“We urge the public not to speculate and to respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time,” it said.

Army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan expressed his condolences on ...