Awang Askandar remains arrives home in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU - The remains of Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME2023) climber and Kedah Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) director, Lieutenant Colonel Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub, 56, arrived at MAS Cargo here at 2.20pm today.

Awang Askandar was reported to have fallen when making the final ascent at 8,000m, which is just 20 minutes before reaching the peak and was pronounced dead when he was being treated at Camp 4.

His remains were welcomed by his family members and APM team as well as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin, and former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

The deceased's older brother, Awang Asim, 57, said their family had been waiting for him 'to come home'.

"I am here today representing our family members while Awang Askandar's wife is waiting at home (Kampung Benoni, Papar)," he said when met by reporters here today.

The remains were brought home via a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.

Upon arrival, the coffin was carried by APM personnel pallbearers.

His remains were brought back to his family house in Kampung Benoni, Papar, where his family members and APM top officials and members paid their last respects.

Awang Askandar was laid to rest at Kampung Benoni Islamic Cemetery after the funeral prayers at Jamek As Salam Mosque, Kampung Benoni.

It was understood that Awang's body had been laid to rest next to his mother's grave.

Awang Askandar is one of the ME2023 participants who was reported to have fallen to his death when making the final ascent at 8,000m, which is just 20 minutes before reaching the peak.

Another fellow climber, Muhammad Hawari, 33, was reported missing after reaching the summit.