Regatta boat tragedy: Victims to be buried in respective hometowns

Family members and friends gather to pay their last respects to the late Mohamad Khairul outside the HUS mortuary. Photo credit: Japen Sarawak

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 20: The body of the late Mohamad Khairul Bidin, 26, was the first to be released by the Forensic Medical Department of Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) today.

He was among five paddlers who drowned after their boat capsized during a regatta training session near Royal Bay Commercial Centre, Jalan Buruh, Bintawa, on Oct 18.

Amid overcast skies, Sarawak Information Department (Japen) reported that the body was released at 1.20pm, after funeral prayers were performed.

The late Mohamad Khairul will be transported and laid to rest at Kampung Tambak Pusa Cemetery in Betong.

The four other victims of the tragedy will also be buried in their respective hometowns.

The late Majurie Maharuf, 32, will be buried in Balingian, Mukah, while the remains of Mohd Afiq Isyamudin Asaari, 26, will be interred at Kampung Rangawan Sadong Jaya Cemetery, Samarahan.

The late Mohammad Ikhmal Sama’ail, 34, will be buried at Kampung Tanjung Bundong Cemetery, Samarahan, while Muhammad Khairul Hisham Kasturi, 23, the final victim, will be laid to rest at Kampung Rebak Cemetery in Asajaya.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the five victims concluded at 10am today after all five bodies were recovered starting around 6am today.

All five were members of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) from the Premier’s Department, who were participating in training for the upcoming Sarawak Regatta, scheduled for next week. — DayakDaily