Selangor Journal
Amirah Awang Askandar, eight, the daughter of the late Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME2023) climber cum Kedah Malaysian Civil Defence Force (MCDF) director Lt Col Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub, sits in front of her father’s casket shortly before the funeral prayers at Masjid Jamek As-Salam in Kampung Benoni, Papar, Sabah, on May 27, 2023. — Picture by BERNAMA

Mt Everest climber Awang Askandar laid to rest in Sabah

PAPAR, May 27 — Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME2023) climber Lt Col Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub was laid to rest at the Kampung Benoni Muslim Cemetery at 5.20pm today.

The body of the Kedah Malaysian Civil Defence Force (MCDF) director had earlier arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) at about 2.15pm after it was flown out of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 11.35am, via flight MH2646.

After a brief prayer recital, some 10 Sabah MCDF personnel carried the coffin bearing his remains in procession from the cargo area to the hearse.

Those present to pay their last respects were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Muhammad Alamin, MCDF chief commissioner Aminurrahim Mohamed and the deceased’s brother Awang Asim Ampuan Yaacub.

The remains were brought to Awang Askandar’s family residence at Kampung Benoni, Papar from the airport before arriving at Masjid Jamek As-Salam, for the final bath and shrouding.

The funeral prayer was performed by the mosque’s imam Salam Hamdani Omar, before the burial took place with full MCDF honours at 4.38pm.

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 of the tallest peak in the world.

— Bernama

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