BATU PAHAT: A durian orchard keeper has discovered a human skeleton at the base of a cliff within the orchard.
The man, who wanted to be known as only Wong, 72, discovered the human skeleton believed to be that of Hafiz Fauzan Abd Halid, 17.
The bones were reportedly found by cleaning workers while they were mowing grass on the side of Jalan Yong Peng-Muar near Kampung Sri Wangi here yesterday morning.
Wong said he didn't touch the bones because he thought they were animal remains.
"Many animals have died in this orchard, and it is a common find in the area. I only realised what was going on when the police arrived. It was then that I found that they were human bones."
He added that a motorcycle was discovered in the gap between some trees.
Wong said for the past month, he had been frequenting the orchard daily in search of durians, but did not notice anything suspicious.
"After I discovered the skeleton, I was asked to lodge a report the same day.
"The orchard was full of bushes and has been undergoing cleaning work, including mowing, for the past 20 days due to the arrival of the durian season."
Kompleks Penghulu Mukim VI Linau site supervisor Mohd Rizza Masri, 38, said he and other workers did not detect any unpleasant odours despite not being far from where the skeleton was discovered.
The police confirmed the discovery of a human skeleton in a durian orchard believed to be that of Hafiz, a Form 5 student from SMA Parit Raja. He was reported missing on May 26.
A motorcycle was also found, said to be almost identical to that used by Hafiz, based on the registration number as reported by his family members on social media after he disappeared.
