SANDAKAN: More than 40 bodies affected by a landslide at the Kampung Sim-Sim Muslim Cemetery three months ago were reburied collectively in a single grave at a safer section of the same cemetery on Sunday.
The reburial was carried out by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) with the cooperation of various agencies, including the Community Development Leader Unit, Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the cemetery committee, the action committee, next of kin and local residents.
JHEAINS Sandakan Administrative Officer Rahmin Arman said the reburial followed the advice of the Sabah Mufti, who recommended that all the bodies be reinterred together in a suitable grave in accordance with Islamic law to preserve the dignity of the deceased.
He said the process was conducted in an orderly and respectful manner, while the Jheains Director monitored the operation via video call to ensure all procedures were carried out smoothly and in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
Rahmin said the affected section of the cemetery would also be proposed for permanent closure to future burials due to the landslide risk, while family members expressed gratitude to all agencies and parties involved for completing a process they had awaited since the incident.
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