MUAR (ANN/THE STAR) – Squadron 502 commanding officer, Commander Muhamad Amir Mohamad, was laid to rest at the Felcra Bukit Kepong Muslim Cemetery in a sombre ceremony at 12.30 am on Thursday.
The 44-year-old commander’s remains arrived at the cemetery at midnight, following a funeral prayer at Masjid Al-Muqorobbin Felcra Bukit Kepong.
Around 1,000 villagers, family, friends, and colleagues gathered to pay their final respects to the respected officer, whose death in a helicopter crash has left the Malaysian military community mourning his loss.
The prayer was led by KD Sultan Ismail religious officer Mejar Mohd Harith Masood right after the remains reached the mosque at 10.45pm on Wednesday (April 24), located about 500m from his family home.
The burial ceremony was carried out according to navy tradition, led by Lieutenant Commander Mohd Hazwan Burhanuddin.
Navy Human Resources Assistant Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Baharudin Wan Md Nor and Navy Reserve Forces Commander Rear Admiral Azeman Yusoff were also in attendance during the funeral process.
Baharudin then presented the navy flag to the deceased father, Mohamad Borak, 71, after the process was over. Also present are the deceased mother, Napkiah Ahmad, 71; his wife, Marliati Basri, 40; and three children, including his siblings, friends, and relatives.
Earlier in the day, Muhamad Amir’s body was transported from Kem Gua Permai in a convoy from the 23rd Royal Malay Regiment Battalion (23 RAMD) on Jalan Tambun, Ipoh, around 6pm, following the completion of post-mortem procedures at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB).
He was among 10 navy personnel who died when two helicopters collided and crashed at the TLDM Base in Lumut, Perak, at 9.32am on Tuesday (April 23).
In the incident, 10 navy personnel were killed when two Navy helicopters crashed in Lumut while conducting a third rehearsal for a flypast in conjunction with the 90th Naval Day, scheduled to be held this Saturday (April 27).
The 10 navy crew members killed in the crash included Muhamad Amir; Lieutenant T Sivasutan (Squadron 502 pilot), and Warrant Officer II Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Termizi (Squadron 502 Air Quartermaster).
Others killed were Squadron 503 Commanding Officer Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli; Lt Commander Wan Rezaudeen Kamal Zainal Abidin; Squadron 503 Air Tactical Officer, Lt Commander Mohammad Amirulfaris Mohd Marzukhi; and Squadron 503 Air Quartermaster Warrant Officer II Muhammad Faisol Tamadun.
The three women killed in the collision were Able Seaman I Joanna Felicia Rohna from the TLDM Air Base, Warrant Officer II Norfarahimi Saedy (West Armada Supply Depot) as well as Petty Officer Nor Rahiza Anuar (West Armada Supply Depot).
