Missing Automotive Influencer Feared Drowned

Rescuers recovering a white Perodua Axia believed to belong to missing automotive influencer Ija Nizaruddin yesterday in a river near Kampung Tui.

A 38-year-old local automotive influencer Tengku Nizaruddin Zainudin, also known as Ija Nizaruddin on Facebook and TikTok, who was reported missing, is feared to have drowned. 

Said fears rose as rescuers mount a search for Ija Nizaruddin in the Sungai Tui river near Pagoh, Bukit Kepong. He was reportedly last seen on Monday (July 14), leaving Johor Baru for Parit Jawa in separate vehicles with his brother for business.

Photo of Ija Nizaruddin (centre) lifted from Facebook.

His brother, Tengku Abdul Aziz, 30, said they last met at 2PM on Monday after travelling separately from Johor Bahru to Muar. Ija Nizaruddin’s wife also said her husband suffered a heart attack while driving once before, raising fears further when he became uncontactable.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz reportedly said no police report was lodged by the family, but they had posted on Facebook stating that the man had been missing since 4PM Monday.

The rescue effort mounted by the Fire and Rescue Department yesterday led to the recovery of a white Perodua Axia believed to belong to the missing victim, from a river near Kampung Tui.

Rescuers reportedly found the Axia submerged and upside down in the river. Authorities however did not confirm if anyone was found in it.

The car was reportedly submerged and upside down beneath a bridge at a depth of two metres when it was recovered at 3:30PM yesterday (Tuesday) – some 24 hours after Ija Nizaruddin was last seen.

Authorities have yet to confirm the condition of the man or whether he was inside the vehicle when it was found, reports NST.

Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing at the time of writing.