AN Egyptian pathologist who sparked a statewide search after he was reported missing by a colleague on Tuesday was found to be on his way home.

Dr Ahmed Mohamed Mohamed Sakr, a contract doctor with the Health Ministry posted at Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, sparked the search after not showing up for work since last Friday.

He could not be found at his rented apartment at Chong Lin Plaza, about 1km from the hospital, prompting a colleague to lodge a report at the Satok police station.

Police, with assistance from Fire and Rescue Department personnel, cut the bolt on the apartment door to gain entry. They found no sign that the unit had been ransacked.

State Criminal Investigation Department chief Dev Kumar, in clarifying reports on the “missing” pathologist, said Dr Ahmed was no longer considered a missing person, and was flying home to Cairo.

Kumar said today Dr Ahmed left the state via an AirAsia flight on the evening of December 7, and arrived at klia2 at 8.40pm.

He was recorded on the airport CCTV.

“He was alone and in good health,” said Kumar, allaying fears that an abduction or other such crimes had taken place.

He said police investigations in the peninsula found that Dr Ahmed had purchased an Emirates ticket to fly to Cairo on December 23.

Police have sought the assistance of the Egyptian embassy in Malaysia, via Interpol Bukit Aman, to confirm the status and whereabouts of Dr Ahmed in Cairo.

The pathologist has been attached to Sarawak General Hospital since 2006. – December 15, 2017.