MH17: Remains of Ariza Ghazalee, son buried at Semariang Muslim cemetery

The remains of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 crash victims, Ariza Ghazalee, 46, and her eldest son Muhammad Afif, 19, were buried in one grave at the Semariang Muslim cemetery here Friday. About 5,000 people were present at the cemetery when the hearse arrived, accompanied by police outriders at about 4.53 pm. The atmosphere at the cemetery was gloomy as the remains of the two victims were carried out of the hearse by 16 military personnel from the Fourth Royal Armour Corp to the grave. Later Masjid Jamek chief imam Datuk Joji Suhaili read the prayers before Sarawak Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who represented the state government, presented the Jalur Gemilang that covered the coffins to Ariza's mother, Jamilah Noriah Abang Aji Anuar, 72. Among those present were also Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim. Earlier the remains of the two victims had arrived at the KL International Airport from Amsterdam Friday morning for the ceremony honouring the victims of the MH17 tragedy before being flown by Charlie C-130 aircraft to the air force base here at 2.17 pm. Flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 283 passengers and 15 crew on board. The Boeing 777-200 aircraft is believed to have been shot down over the troubled country. Ariza together with her husband Tambi Jiee, 49, and their children, Muhammad Afif, Muhammad Afzal, 17, Marsha Azmeena, 15 and Muhammad Afruz, 13, were among 43 Malaysians who perished in the tragedy. Meanwhile, Sarawak Chief Minister, Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who was met by reporters during the funeral prayers at Masjid Jamek in Petra Jaya here, said the grief of Malaysians on the loss of lives in the tragedy was deeply felt throughout the country. "Today our nation is united in grief and our tears speak for itself," he said.