Pallbearers overcome with sadness, despite not knowing victims

The members of the 12th Malaysian Infantry Brigade were just pallbearers, to carry the caskets bearing the remains of victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Yet, they were overcome with emotions, despite having no relations at all with the victims concerned.

Lance Corporal Mohd Halim Othman, 26, said he was overcome with sadness when entering the special aircraft, MH6129, to bring down the casket containing the remains of passenger Muhammad Afif Tambi.

The special aircraft, bringing the first batch of remains in 17 caskets and three urns, stopped in front of the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport (KLIA) here for the commencement of the special ceremony to honour the victims.

"The feeling of sadness cannot be described, what more this is the first time that I am involved in this kind of ceremony," he told Bernama when met after the ceremony here Friday.

He said he did not expect to be emotional, especially when the rehearsal for the ceremony had been conducted several times since July 25.

As for Corporal Che Wan Mohd Nazrin Che Wan Azmi, 30, the look of sadness and tears on the faces of family members of the victims broke his heart.

"We were only told the number of the casket to carry and thought by not knowing whose remains that I would be carrying would not make me feel sad, but, walking in front of the family members and seeing them wiping their tears, made me melt," he added.

Che Wan Mohd Nazrin was among the pallbearers to carry the casket bearing the remains of MH17 crew Azrina Yakob.

Sergeant Jeffery Semat, 33, the head of the pallbearers for the casket containing the remains of passenger Ariza Ghazalee, said he had to control hard to not show his sadness.

"I pray that the victim in the casket I was carrying will rest in peace having finally arrived home to be buried," he added.

Meanwhile, Army headquarters Chief of Staff, Major General Datuk Azizan Md Delin said he was satisfied with the commitment given by the 450 personnel from all ranks at the ceremony, the first involving civilians.

"The ceremony went well because of the concerted efforts from all those involved who had been training since July 25 that they could not take leave during the recent Aidilfitri celebration," he added.

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.