YAN: Petty officer TNL Noor Rahiza Anuar, 39, who died in the helicopter tragedy in Lumut, Perak, on Tuesday (Apr 23), was laid to rest with full military honours at the Masjid Haji Nyak Gam Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Ruat here at 9.55 pm last night.
A somber atmosphere enveloped the cemetery as Noor Rahiza’s remains arrived, with the presence of approximately 500 relatives, friends, and members of the public witnessing the burial near the grave of her late mother, Ratipa Yahaya, who passed away in July last year.
Earlier, the deceased’s body was taken to her family home in Taman Perumahan Awam 2, near here, at 8.40 pm to enable family members and friends to pay their last respects.
She is survived by her husband and four children, aged between six and 16, including a pair of twins.
Meanwhile, another victim of the tragedy, Warrant Officer II Muhammad Faisol Tamadun, 36, was laid to rest at the Sik Dalam Muslim Cemetery at approximately 10.10 pm.
He was buried with full military honours next to the grave of his mother, Fatimah Abdullah, who passed away in August last year.
Muhammad Faisol’s remains arrived at the home of his eldest sister, Noryani Tamadun, 50, in Kampung Tanjung, Sik, at 8.55 pm, where about 200 family members, friends, and neighbours paid their final respects, and then taken to Masjid Al-Muhtadin Sik Dalam for prayers led by Imam Abdullah Taib with a congregation of over 1,000.
Noryani expressed her gratitude for the seamless arrangements made to bring her brother’s body home safely and ensure his peaceful burial.
“The military has been here since 4 pm preparing for the arrival of his body…thank you to everyone who helped facilitate the burial arrangements,” she told reporters.
The late Muhammad Faisol, who was the youngest of four siblings, leaves behind a wife, Nor Syuhada Jamil, 37, and two daughters aged six and 10.
In George Town, Penang, Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli’s body, a victim of the tragedy, was laid to rest at the Masjid Jamek Sungai Nibong Besar Muslim cemetery last night.
Around 1,000 people, including family members, friends and the public, waited at the mosque since 5 pm to pay their final respects to the deceased, whose body arrived at 7.41 pm.
The funeral prayer was led by mosque imam Ustaz Harun Mahyudin after the Maghrib prayer before the remains of the Squadron 503 Commanding Officer was carried to the cemetery according to military burial customs, accompanied by military personnel, who then carried it to the burial ground.
The coffin carrying the remains, draped with the Malaysian flag, was then saluted by military personnel as a final tribute before the burial took place.
RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayub, who was present, then presented the Malaysian flag to the deceased’s wife, Soffiyah Sa’adon, at the end of the burial ceremony, which was concluded by 8.50 pm.
A sombre and sorrow atmosphere enveloped the burial of the deceased, with the presence of the victims’ next of kin accompanying the national hero’s final journey. Muhammad Firdaus’s parents had to be supported by their children because of their overwhelming grief.
Muhammad Firdaus’s wife and their four-year-old son, as well as his parents and family members, took the opportunity to kiss the coffin as a final tribute.
Also present were Major General Datuk Azhan Md Othman, Commander of the 2nd Division, and Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol, who is also Penang Agrotechnology, Food Security, and Cooperatives Development Committee chairman.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Firdaus’s father, Ramli Abd Hamid, in his 60s, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family to the government and all parties who had assisted in managing the funeral arrangements.
“I thank everyone who has cared for my son; he is a national hero and also the hero of the Sungai Nibong folks. I also express my gratitude to all those involved, especially to the government, the military, ministers, friends and village folks who have helped us greatly,” he said.
Earlier at 6 pm, the funeral prayers and final respects for Muhammad Firdaus and seven other Muslim victims of the helicopter crash were held at the 23rd Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) Camp in Ipoh.
In Kuala Lumpur, the remains of Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) pilot Lt Commander Wan Rezaudeen Kamal Zainal Abidin, 37, were laid to rest at about 10 last night at the Raudhatul Sakinah Muslim Cemetery in Batu Muda.
Earlier, Wan Rezaudeen Kamal’s remains were taken to the Salahuddin Al-Ayubi Mosque in Taman Melati here at about 8.20 pm for prayer.
The burial ceremony was carried out according to TLDM tradition and a solemn atmosphere filled the cemetery when Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin handed the naval ensign to Wan Rezaudeen Kamal’s wife, Alia Amalina Md Noor.
Others present at the cemetery were Navy deputy chief Vice-Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain and about 200 individuals, comprising family members and friends of the victim.
Earlier, the funeral prayers and final respects for Wan Rezaudeen Kamal and the remains of seven other Muslim victims were held at the 23rd Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) Camp in Ipoh.
The remains of two others killed in the tragedy were taken to their respective residences in Sitiawan, Perak and Kuching, Sarawak. – BERNAMA
