KUCHING, Aug 20- The remains of two Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 crash victims are expected to arrive at the Kuching Air Force (TUDM)base here at 3 pm on Friday.
Sarawak Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said the two remains, to be accompanied by four family members, would be flown to Kuching by Charlie aircraft.
“The remains will be brought to Masjid Jamek, Petrajaya for prayers before being taken to the Muslim cemetery in Semariang for burial as soon they arrive.
“The public can gather at Masjid Jamek to take part in the prayers and pay their last respects,” Daud told a news conference after chairing a meeting on preparation to receive the remains at TUDM base in Kuching, Tuesday.
Earlier he inspected the preparation, including a rehearsal that saw 16 military personnel carrying out two coffins from the Charlie aircraft before being brought to a waiting hearse.
Daud said Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and other state cabinet members were expected to be at the Masjid Jamek that afternoon.
He said the remains from Armsterdam were expected to arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at about 10 am and would leave for Kuching two hours later after the ceremony to pay tribute to the flight MH17 crash victims at the Bunga Raya Complex, KLIA.
On that day, he said the Sarawak state flag would be hoisted at half mast like the Jalur Gemilang as a mark of mourning.
Previously the media reported that among those killed in the tragedy last July 17 were Tambi Jiee, 49, and his wife Ariza Ghazalee, 46, and their four children Muhammad Afif, 19, Muhammad Afzal, 19, Marsha Azmeena, 15 and Muhammad Afruz, 13, from Semariang.
Meanwhile in IPOH, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the state government would take into account the decision of the families of the three crash victims from Perak.
“Maybe there are families who want the remains to be brought straight to their home towns for burial or have some ceremony to pay their last respects at the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport,” he said.
– BERNAMA
