Elmina crash: P-hailing rider’s remains buried in Sungai Petani

SUNGAI PETANI - The remains of the late Muhamad Hafiz Muhamad Saleh, 32, who was a victim of the tragic aircraft crash in Bandar Elmina, Shah Alam on Thursday has been safely buried in the Al Huda Mosque Kampung Jerung Islamic Cemetery on Saturday.

His body arrived at the mosque at 2.57pm and was safely buried at 3.45pm after the prayers were completed.

It was estimated over 500 individuals from family to the local community attended the mosque to give their final respects to the deceased.

Also present to give his final respects were Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and Sidam Assemblyman Bau Wong Bau Ek.

The cousin of the victim, who was a teacher Rabiatul Adawiyah Zakaria, 35, said she was grateful that they could ease the return of the body back to the village.

She said the prayers of the public in Malaysia might have led to her cousin’s burial process to go smoothly.

“It was supposed to be on Monday, but with the prayers of many, I would like to thank them because Allah answered our prayers,” she said.

Hafiz was the first identified victim through the DNA matching process.

The body was cleaned and wrapped by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) at the Jamek Ar-Rahimiah Mosque near the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) before he was claimed by his father Muhamad Salleh, 57, around 9.30am.

His body was handed over after the press conference by Selangor Police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan who confirmed the victim’s identity and approved the release of the victim’s remains.

The tragedy of the Beechcraft 390 (Premier 1) aircraft crash at Persiaran Elmina, Shah Alam claimed 10 lives Pelangai Assemblyman Datuk Seri Johari Harun.

Hafiz, who was the eldest of five, worked as a p-hailing rider who was coincidentally at the scene while he was working.