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THE Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will refer the case of a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) personnel who went missing for over a week to its Board of Inquiry, following his safe recovery in Ampang yesterday.
Chief of Defence Forces, General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaafar, confirmed that the matter would be investigated in accordance with existing military protocols.
“There are already standard operating procedures in place, and this case will be no exception. A full investigation will be conducted from all angles before any further action is taken,” he told Sinar Harian on Thursday.
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Senior Aircraftman Muhammad Ammar Mohd Ariffin, 27, had been uncontactable since 24 August, after attending a Vehicle Transport Supervisor Course at the RMAF's Institute of Material Management Training (INSMAT) in Bandar Kinrara.
Participants were released on 22 August and required to report back on 25 August. However, Muhammad Ammar failed to do so, prompting his course supervisor to lodge a police report.
According to police investigations, Muhammad Ammar was last seen at Sungai Kedondong around 4.30pm on 23 August. It was later revealed that he had gone into hiding out of fear, following a minor road accident involving the car of a superior officer in Subang on the evening of 22 August.
He failed to report the incident and subsequently could not be contacted by family members, who filed two police reports on 24 August.
On Wednesday afternoon, police from the Serdang District Headquarters located him at a condominium unit in Ampang Jaya, where he was found uninjured and in the company of his girlfriend. The unit belongs to the woman, and police confirmed there was no criminal element linked to his disappearance.
“He was discovered in one of the rooms and found safe. There were no signs of injury on his body,” said Serdang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Muhamad Farid Ahmad.
Farid added that police are now working to obtain a full statement from Muhammad Ammar regarding the events that led to his disappearance.
“We are grateful to all who came forward with information that aided in locating him,” he added.
The Armed Forces’ inquiry will be held under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which allows for the mental assessment of a person if necessary. However, no such assessment has been announced at this stage.
Military sources indicated that Muhammad Ammar, who is based at RMAF Subang, had panicked after the incident and chose not to return to duty, fearing disciplinary repercussions.
His sudden absence and failure to report back led to concern among colleagues and sparked an extensive search. - Sept 4, 2025
