TUDM pilots' remains flown to their villages for burial

The bodies of Major Mohd Hasri Zahari, 31, and Major Yazmi Mohamed Yusof, 39, were transported on an EC725 and Charlie C130H at 8.15am and 9am respectively from the TUDM base here accompanied by family members.

Mohd Hasri's remains would be brought to Felda Lui Muda in Jempol Negeri Sembilan, while Yazmi''s, to Subang TUDM base before burial at the Titiwangsa Muslim cemetery in Kuala Lumpur.

More than 200 officers and personnel from the respective components of the Malaysian Armed Forces were at the TUDM base to pay last respects to their late comrades.

Earlier, the bodies were bathed and prayed over separately at Surau Al-Taqwa, Kuantan TUDM base upon arriving from the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital forensic unit at 5.45am after the completion of the post mortem at 5.15am.

The remains of Mohd Hasri who was affectionately known as ''fixer'' and Yazmi, as ''caser'' among their colleagues in TUDM arrived from the hospital in two vans accompanied by traffic police, a TUDM official vehicle and family members.

Kuantan TUDM base religious officer Major Mohd Zaki Kassim led about 200 people comprising the victims'' family members and uniformed staff to perform prayers for the deceased.

Mohd Hasri's wife, Asysyuhadak Ahmad, 30, and their seven-month-old daughter, Nur Hafiya, and Yazmi's wife Noor Shafora Izwa Mohd Hilmi and their six children, Mikhail Adam Riaz, 11, Mukriz Anwar Riaz, 10, Muaz Addin Riaz, 7, Mika Adden Riaz, 4, Mika Ayman Riaz, 4, and Musa Akhtar Riaz, 3, were at the surau.

They appeared composed while boarding the respective aircraft to accompany the remains of their loved ones home.

The coffins were draped in the Jalur Gemilang flag and TUDM flag.

TUDM officers and personnel lined the sidewalk in final respect as the vans left the premises.

Yazmi and Mohd Hasri's bodies were located at 2.30pm about 20 metres apart. They were wearing their parachutes.

The pilots left Kuantan TUDM base in the Hawk 108 at 11am, but 30 minutes later could be communicated.