Remains of capsized raft victims laid to rest

The remains of four family members who drowned when a raft they were on, together with six other family members overturned in Sungai Bekok, Yong Peng on Saturday were laid to rest here yesterday.

The deceased were Lana Ismail, 55, son, Mohd Aiman Arif Hairaddin, 10, and two grandchildren, Muhammad Iman Naqiudin Nas Izaha, two, and 10-month-old Muhammad Ikhwan Nasaruddin Nas Izaha.

They were buried in a single grave at the Kampung Kangkar Baharu Muslim Cemetery in Yong Peng at 2.30pm.

READ: Body of third victim in raft tragedy found

There was a pall of gloom during the funeral ceremony which was attended by over 100 people, comprising family members, relatives and village residents.

During the funeral, Lana's husband, Hairaddin Masran, 58, who was one of those rescued in the 3pm incident, was seen crying and had to be assisted by family members.

Earlier, the remains of the four were brought from their house in Kampung Melayu Kangkar Baharu to the village mosque for prayers.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, turned up to pay his last respects at the house.

In the 3pm incident yesterday, the raft carrying 10 family members enroute to visit Hairaddin's goat farm on the other side of the river, overturned midway when it was hit by strong currents.

The bodies of Hairaddin's grandchildren, Muhammad Iman Naqiudin and Muhammad Ikhwan Nasaruddin were the first to be retrieved.

The body of Hairaddin's son, Mohd Aiman Arif, was found in the river about two metres from where the raft had sunk at 8.40 last night, while his wife's body was found this morning.

Besides Hairaddin, the other victims who survived were son, Ali Abdul Raman, 28, and his wife, Junaidah Yang, 28, and the couple's son, Muhamad Ali An-naqi Abdul Raman, two.

Others who survived were Hairaddin's daughters, Nor Diana Alisa, 31, and Farahida, 26.