Family in Belukar Bukit waterfall tragedy buried in single grave

The remains of the family of five who drowned at the Belukar Bukit Waterfall, Hulu Terengganu were buried in one single grave here, at 1.30am today.

Abdul Halim Samian, 44, his wife Nurul Adia@ Salwati Awang, 39, and their daughters Nurul Arifah Abdul Halim, Nurul Aina and Nurul Izah, aged 16, 11 and 10 years, respectively, were laid to rest at the Kampung Pengkalan Arang Muslim Cemetery.

The last rites on the five bodies were performed at the village mosque at 9pm.

The funeral was delayed to await the arrival of Abdul Halim's father, Samian Samor, 84, from Kuala Lumpur with several other relatives at midnight, while his mother arrived from Johor at 10pm.

During the funeral, the couple's only son, Mohd Hasif aged nine who was traumatised by the incident, was seen being hugged and comforted by an aunt, Dr Zabariah Samian, 38.

"I offer to look after Mohd Hasif as he is very close to my sons Abdullah Azam Annur Azalan, 11, and Abdulah Allef Uddris Azalan, 12.

"But I need to discuss first with family members. If all agree, I am willing to take care of him," Zabariah told reporters.

It is learnt, Mohd Hasif did not get into the water with his parents and sisters as he was engrossed in a computer game on his cellphone.

Abdul Halim was an engineer and owned his own company. He was also a marriage registrar, the imam of Puncak Alam Mosque, chairman of Sekolah Menengah Puncak Alam Parent-Teachers Association and a Kafa (Quran and religious obligation classes) teacher.

Meanwhile, Samian said he last met his son during Aidilfitri: "I accept what had happened as the will of the Almighty," he said.