Pall-bearer fights back tears to carry remains of uncle, latest MH17 victim to return – Bernama
Lance Corporal Mohd Sadiq Zakariah had to fight back tears as he performed the duty of a pall-bearer for his uncle, Mohd Ghafar Abu Bakar, one of the Malaysian victims of the MH17 tragedy whose remains were flown home today.
He said he had to remind himself repeatedly to remain strong as he had personally requested to be one of the pall-bearers to carry the remains of the Malaysia Airlines in-flight supervisor.
"When I was told that my uncle was one of the victims, I really hoped to be the family's representative to carry his remains.
"How can I let other people carry his remains when I was there to do so?" he told Bernama when met after the ceremony honouring the victims of the MH17 tragedy was held in the vicinity of the Bunga Raya Complex at the KL International Airport today.
Mohd Sadiq from the Ceremonial Unit of the 1st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment said it was the last deed he could contribute to his uncle's family.
Mohd Ghafar was later laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Taman Kosas, Ampang.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.
The Boeing 777 aircraft is believed to have been shot down over the troubled country. – Bernama, August 24, 2014.
