An emotional scene unfolded in Miri as healthcare workers gathered to bid a final farewell to Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, one of five people who died in the recent Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Sarawak.
Photos and videos circulating online showed medical personnel lining up as Dr Ainul’s remains were prepared for the journey home, with tributes including the words, “Fly high and high, Dr Ainul.”
The 33-year-old medical officer was among four Health Ministry personnel who died while carrying out an official Flying Doctor Service mission in Long Lellang.
Remains handed over after DNA identification
In an official statement dated Sept 13, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the forensic identification process involving all five victims had been completed.
Their identities were confirmed through DNA analysis by the Royal Malaysia Police and the Chemistry Department, after which the remains were handed over to their families at the Forensic Department of Miri Hospital on the morning of Sept 13.
The Health Ministry then coordinated arrangements to send each victim to their respective final resting places.
Dr Ainul flown home on special RMAF aircraft
According to Dzulkefly, Dr Ainul’s remains were flown from Miri to Kota Bharu, Kelantan aboard a special Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft.
She was to be laid to rest at Seri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Baung, Pengkalan Chepa.
Her family had earlier said the funeral prayer would be held at Masjid Al Karamah in Mukim Baung Besar.
Dzulkefly also thanked the Malaysian Armed Forces for providing logistical assistance through the RMAF to help bring the victims back to their families.
Funeral arrangements for other victims
The Health Minister also confirmed arrangements for the remaining victims.
Nurse Debra Moset was to be flown from Miri to Kuching before being laid to rest in Kampung Semadang, Padawan on Sept 14.
Assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry was to be brought from Miri Hospital to his late father’s home before burial at the Anglican Cemetery in Lambir, Miri on Sept 15.
Nurse Jessie Paya Jok was to be brought to her late father’s home, with her burial scheduled for Sept 14 at the BEM Cemetery in Lambir.
Pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham was to be flown from Miri to KLIA via Malaysia Airlines before being laid to rest at Forest Heights Muslim Cemetery in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan.
FDS operations remain temporarily suspended
Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry would continue working with the Fire and Rescue Department to support MEDEVAC operations following the temporary suspension of FDS services.
The suspension is to allow investigations as well as a review and comprehensive assessment of the service’s safety and operations.
The ministry also thanked PDRM, the Chemistry Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, Miri Hospital and other agencies involved from the search and rescue stage through to the management of the victims’ remains.
For Dr Ainul’s colleagues, her final journey home became one last salute to a medical officer who lost her life while serving communities deep in Sarawak’s interior.
