KUCHING: The search operation for the missing four-year-old Eric Chang Wei Jie has entered day four today.
A spokesperson from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department operation centre said the search area has been widening to 400 to 500 metres from the operation post around the coastal area.
“As of 9.30am, the search area has been expanded to cover some wider coastal areas in Kampung Muara Tebas,” he said.
“We have intensified with search operation with the assistance from our Dog Unit (K9) – Cliff (dog’s name) and two handlers, together with other personnel from various agencies,” he added.
More than 40 personnel from Tabuan Jaya fire and rescue station, Bako Indah auxiliary firemen, police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and three drones from the police Air Wing Unit as well as local villagers have taken part in the operation.
Chang, nicknamed Duck Duck, was reported missing from his babysitter’s house in Bintawa on Mar 7 while a police report was lodged at Bintawa police station at 7.42pm on the same day.
On Mar 11, four individuals – Chang’s parents and the babysitter, and her husband, were arrested to facilitate investigations into the case under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for neglect, abandonment or exposure of children.
On March 13, the police have reclassified the case to Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, after new update in the investigation.
