MH17: Youngest in family of six laid to rest

The remains of Muhammad Afruz Tambi, the youngest son of Tambi Jiee and Ariza Ghazalee, who were all victims of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 aircraft tragedy in July, were buried at the Semariang Muslim Cemetery here Friday afternoon.

The 13-year-old's remains were laid to rest at 2.31pm, next to his father, Tambi, 49, mother, Ariza, 46, and three other siblings.

They perished when the Boeing 777-200 aircraft was shot down in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine on July 17.

Ariza and her eldest son, Muhammad Afif, 19, were buried on Aug 22, followed by Tambi on Sept 9.

The remains of Muhammad Afzal, 17, and Marsha Azmeena, 15, were buried on Sept 19.

Earlier, the coffin carrying Muhammad Afruz's remains arrived at the Kuching International Airport at 11.35am on a special Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft from the KL International Airport.

Upon arrival, the remains were accorded military honours and carried by nine personnel from the 4th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps before it was taken to the Jamek Mosque in Kuching for prayers.

Funeral prayers were led by the Imam of the Masjid Islam Sarawak, Ustaz Abdul Aziz Wan Yusof, after Friday prayers.

Also present were Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof; Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman.

Muhammad Afruz was the last member of the Tambi family from Kuching to be identified.

A total of 44 Malaysians, including one with dual citizenship, were on board the Flight MH17 aircraft which was heading to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when it was shot down.

The aircraft was carrying 298 passengers, including 15 crew.