Families of victims carry out last rites

Families of the 20 Malaysian victims of the downed MH17 brought back to the country yesterday were finally able to carry out the last rites for their loved ones who perished over a month ago.

Azrina Yaakob, the chief stewardess of the ill-fated flight, was buried in the northern town of Taiping in Perak yesterday, coincidentally on her son’s sixth birthday.

“Although (he’s) still very young to understand, he knows what happened,” said a cousin of Azrina who wished to be identified only as Kak Chik Rose, 51.

Azrina’s father, Mr Yaakob Silam Sudin, 73, said he felt relief that his daughter’s remains had been brought home and buried, Bernama reported. A helicopter carrying Azrina’s remains had landed in Taiping just past noon and the casket was then taken to the Al-Hidayah mosque for prayer before she was buried.

In Subang Jaya, Selangor, family members and friends wept as the remains of stewardess Lee Hui Pin, 42, were brought to her home yesterday afternoon.

Her husband Wong Kin Wah placed her ashes, contained in an urn wrapped with the national flag, in the living room for religious rites to be conducted. Their three children, Rui Qi, 13, Hong Kai, 10, and Shen Kai, two, offered lighted joss sticks for their late mother.

Also there to pay their last respects were relatives, neighbours and friends, among whom were four Malaysia Airlines staff.

“She was a generous person and was good at handling children. Hui Pin is also known for her cooking and we have always enjoyed her dishes,” said her brother-in-law Tan Eng Chung, 53. Her ashes will be kept for two days at the home for family members and friends to pay their last respects before her funeral on Sunday.