TWO non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have stepped forward to assist in the burial of two siblings who drowned in Sungai Linggi, Tanjung Agas, last Thursday, after it emerged that no family members had come to claim their bodies.
The founder of Skual Amal Rembau, Ibrahim Hamzah, said his team was on standby and ready to carry out the funeral rites as soon as approval is granted.
“Around 9.30 this morning, I contacted Port Dickson Hospital management after reading news reports about the absence of next of kin during the post-mortem yesterday.
“Many people urged us to intervene, and we are prepared—just waiting for permission,” he told Sinar Harian on Saturday.
Masjid Tanah Chembong in Rembau has also offered a burial plot at the Air Hitam Cemetery in Chembong if no alternative is arranged.
Similarly, MyKasih Care founder Shukri Nizam Jaafar from Port Dickson confirmed that his NGO is on standby to manage the funeral, pending instruction from the religious affairs department.
“We are waiting for guidance from the religious office. I understand the father must file a police report, and the mother, who is not a Muslim, also needs to confirm their religious status,” he said.
Shukri noted that cases involving deceased individuals with no clear next of kin or Muslim background are not uncommon, often involving converts.
“In addition to the religious department, NGOs must step in to assist in such cases. This is a responsibility for all Muslims. Our priority is to ensure the children are buried promptly and respectfully,” he added.
The religious status of the siblings remains under review. Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) Director Mohd Asri Abdullah said they are prepared to proceed with burial once clarity is obtained.
The matter arose after police submitted a request to verify the children’s faith, as their names on official documents are Chinese in origin.
“We conducted checks after the father claimed his children had been converted to Islam in Kelantan. However, the Kelantan Islamic Religious Department found no record of their conversion, nor do we have any in Negeri Sembilan,” said Mohd Asri.
JHEAINS is now relying on a written statement from the father to confirm the claim and has also requested that the mother submit a police report to support the process.
“Once we receive official confirmation, we will proceed with funeral arrangements accordingly,” he said. - Sept 6, 2025
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