Remains of Asmuni, husband of deputy minister Noriah laid to rest

The remains of Asmuni Abdullah, 52, husband of Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon, who died in the helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on Thursday were laid to rest at about 10am today.

His remains were buried near Noriah's grave at the Batu 12 Muslim Cemetery, Sungai Burong, here after the funeral prayer was held at 9.05am at the Ar-Rahmah Mosque, Batu 12.

Earlier, Asmuni's remains were flown in at 7.41am in a Charlie C130H aircraft that had left Kuching at about 2am.

The funeral ceremony was attended by nearly 100 people, comprising family members, relatives, friends and village residents.

Asmuni's sister Norliah Abdullah, 50, when approached said, her brother's four children had expressed their sadness for being unable to make it to the funeral as all of them were still in the United States.

"He has three sons aged 21, 18 and 14 and an 18-year-old daughter who live with his ex-wife in New York.

"All of his children and American ex-wife have been informed of the crash and they were deeply shocked and saddened to receive the news," she told reporters here today.

Norliah said, her late eldest brother had planned to bring all his children back to Malaysia to celebrate Aidilfitri this year but the tragedy had left the desire to remain unfulfilled.

Asmuni's sister-in-law Syailina Durasat, 37, described the Asmuni and Noriah's eight-month marriage as an everlasting love.

She said although the couple had been apart for nearly 30 years, the childhood sweethearts reconnected and they became closer to each other.

Asked if Asmuni's children would come to Malaysia to visit their father's grave, she said the family was still discussing the matter.