Drowned Siblings Laid To Rest In Port Dickson

PORT DICKSON, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- The remains of two siblings, who drowned in Sungai Tanjung Agas, Port Dickson, on Sept 4, were laid to rest at the Maqbarah Salimah Cemetery, Taman Intan Perdana, at around 5.30 pm today.

The funeral arrangements of the eight-year-old girl and six-year-old boy were handled by the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS).

Police personnel were also spotted accompanying a suspect, believed to be the father of the two siblings, during the funeral, although he remained in a car under tight police guard.

Port Dickson police chief Maslan Udin and JHEAINS officers were present at the cemetery, and several local residents attended the funeral.

Earlier today, Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad reportedly said that the state Syariah High Court had ruled that the two siblings are Muslims, and that the funeral would be handled by JHEAINS.

On Sept 5, Alzafny said that police received information from the public, regarding a Nissan car which had slid into Sungai Tanjung Agas, Port Dickson, with a boy and a girl inside, at 11.45 am on Sept 4.

Investigations found that the children, aged six and eight, from Shah Alam, Selangor, are believed to have drowned after being trapped in the vehicle.

Alzafny also said that a 46-year-old man, believed to be the children’s father, and his 41-year-old girlfriend were remanded for seven days, from Sept 5, to assist in the investigation into the deaths of the two children. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Meanwhile, an individual at the scene, Ade Mos, 47, also mourned the passing of the two siblings, and appeared deeply saddened by their loss when met at the cemetery.

Speaking to reporters, he said that, although he had known the victims’ family for only a week, the two siblings were cheerful, eloquent, and friendly.

“I am really sad. I remember the first time I met them - these children were so cheerful, as if they were my own.

“Among the memories we shared was when we went fishing; they asked a lot of questions about the names of the fish. Although our time together was brief, the connection left a deep and lasting impression,” he said.

-- BERNAMA