Remains of five rowers to be laid to rest at their hometowns today

KUCHING (Oct 20): The remains of the five rowers from the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) team will be laid to rest at their respective hometowns today.

According to a statement from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) Forensic Department, the remains of Mohammad Ikhmal Sama’ail, 34; Majurie Maharuf, 32; Mohd Afiq Isyamudin Asaari, 26; Mohamad Khairul Bidin, 26; and Muhammad Khairul Hisham Kasturi, 23 were recovered and identified following post-mortem examinations earlier this morning.

“The remains will be transported to Tanjung Bundong in Samarahan, Kampung Baru Balingian in Mukah, Kampung Rendawan in Sadong Jaya, Kampung Tengah Tambak in Pusa, and Kampung Rebak in Asajaya for burial,” it added.

The Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (Jais) informed that after the post-mortem examinations, the remains will be cleansed, and prayers will be performed before being handed over to the families.

The bodies of the rowers were recovered this morning, three days after their boat capsized during a training session for the Sarawak Regatta.

The bodies were found near the barrage, approximately 2.5 kilometres from the area where the boat had capsized.