A fisherman who went missing in Sungai Sibuga near Taman Kenari, Sandakan, has been confirmed dead following a suspected crocodile attack. The victim, Ubing Markum, 30, was last seen around 4pm on Monday (July 14) when he left his home to fish by casting nets in the river.
By 5.20pm, villagers noticed his boat shaking violently, a movement they recognised as a possible crocodile strike. When they went to investigate, they found the boat abandoned near the riverbank with visible bite marks—Ubing was nowhere to be seen.
Authorities were alerted early the next morning. Sandakan police received the call at 1.31am, and the Fire and Rescue Department was informed at 8.50am. A search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies and villagers began at 9.10am.
At 2.14pm on Tuesday, the victim’s body was discovered floating roughly 1km from the location of his boat. Police confirmed his death at the scene, and his remains were brought to Sandakan Hospital. The operation concluded at 3.40pm.
Ubing, a widower, leaves behind two children—an 11-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter—who were being raised with help from his elderly parents. His father, who was present at the scene, identified his body and expressed a promise to care for the grandchildren.
In a heartbreaking twist, villagers revealed that Ubing’s son had survived a crocodile attack in the same river last year, sustaining bite wounds to his arms. Ubing, deeply affected by the incident, had vowed to hunt down the crocodile, but never followed through. Despite the danger, he continued to fish in the river and often brought his son along for safety—though on the day of the incident, he had chosen to go alone.
The incident has reignited concern over crocodile activity in Sungai Sibuga, which is known to be infested. In a previous case in September 2022, the severed head of a man on his way to a mosque was found in the same river.
Villagers remain anxious about the ongoing risks, calling for heightened awareness and safety measures in the area.
