The body of Awang Askandar arrived in KLIA from Kathmandu this morning
PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia has thanked the Nepal government for its help in bringing back the body of Mount Everest climber Lt Col Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub.
Wisma Putra, in a statement, said the body of Awang Askandar had been flown on flight MH2646 to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after its arrival from Kathmandu this morning.
“The ministry would like to thank the Nepal government, local authorities in Nepal, donors and all others who have extended their cooperation and support in the repatriation of the body and the funeral arrangements in Sabah,” it said.
Wisma Putra said Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Al-Amin and officers from the ministry’s Sabah Regional Office and Consular Division would receive the body at KKIA.
Awang Askandar, who was Kedah director of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, will be buried at the Kampung Benoni Muslim cemetery in Papar.
The remains of Awang Askandar arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International KLIA at about 7.30am today on the MH115 flight, which departed from Kathmandu, Nepal at 11.30pm yesterday (Nepal Time).
More than 70 APM personnel paid their last respects to the deceased at the KLIA Cargo Complex, followed by the Yasin recital and tahlil led by Assoc Lt (PA) Miszlee Samais.
Also in attendance were the Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafuddin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff.
Awang Askandar, 56, was reported to have fallen when making the final ascent at 8,000m and was pronounced dead while being treated at Camp 4.
During the mishap, Awang Askandar was with fellow climber Muhammad Hawari Hashim, 33, and would have needed only 20 minutes to reach the peak.
The hearing-impaired Muhammad Hawari was reported missing after reaching the summit, and the search and rescue efforts are ongoing. ― Bernama
