SIBU: The Kemuyang Islamic Cemetery (Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kemuyang) opened for public use effective Sunday (Aug 1).
Al-Qadim Mosque Islamic Cemetery (Tanah Perkuburan Islam Masjid Al-Qaqim) — the main burial ground for local Muslims previously — was officially closed on Saturday (July 31).
Sibu Islamic Welfare Trust Board (Lakis) secretary Jamil Julaihi said the cemetery located at Jalan Awang Ramli Amit was closed as it had run out of space.
He explained that the old burial ground had been in use for over 180 years.
The Al-Qadim Mosque Islamic Cemetery. 
The Al-Qadim Mosque Islamic Cemetery was affected by a flood two years ago.
He said previously, Sibu had several old Muslim cemeteries such as Lebai Sangku Islamic Cemetery (Tanah Perkuburan Islam Lebai Sangku) located at Kampung Datu Lama, Islam Lama Cemetery (Tanah Perkuburan Islam Lama) at Jalan Nanas and Kampung Pulo Berendam Islami Cemetery (Tanah Perkuburan Islam Masyarakat Kampung Pulo Berendam) at Dataran Tuanku Haji Bujang Fasa II.
He said all the graves were maintained until now by Lakis through its bureau, the Sibu Islamic Cemetery Management Bureau (Biro Pengurusan Tanah Perkuburan Islam Sibu).
Jamil said that Lakis would manage the new Kemuyang Islamic Cemetery by using the latest online system.
He said the new cemetery, which had an area of about 10.2 hectares, was divided into five zones, namely, A, B, C, D and E.
For the first phase, burials will be carried out in Zone A which can accommodate about 500 graves.
The new Kemuyang Islamic Cemetery. 
The new Kemuyang Islamic Cemetery.
“Currently, the new site is only for burial purposes without the facilities for related arrangements and rituals.
“The facilities for Fardu Kifayah (communal obligation in Muslim legal doctrine) such as the place to bathe the body of the deceased, surau and others are not ready yet.
“The surau is expected to be completed in October. The Kemuyang Islamic Cemetery will be in full operations by January next year,” explained Jamil.
On the E-Pusara system introduced by Lakis to facilitate management of the cemetery, he said, “A search for a grave can be done by entering the information or details of the deceased family member. After entering the information or details, the search results will display the location, lot number and zone of the grave.
“The E-Pusara system allows the next of kin to access information wherever they are. Its website is pusara.lakis.com.my.”
