KOTA BARU: Three more skeletal remains of the Batek Orang Asli community in Kampung Kuala Koh were discovered yesterday, bringing the number to four.
They were identified as Jais Keladi, 55, and siblings Safia Papan, 18, and Fayah Papan, 19.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan said the remains were found between 600m and 6km from the village by the teams who conducted the search operation to locate their graves, between 4.30pm and 5pm yesterday.
“Safia’s was found first, followed by her brother’s about 112m away.
“After conducting further checks, the team which includes the police, members of General Operations Force (GOF) and several Orang Asli people discovered Jais' remains,” he told reporters after receiving a short visit by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator P Waytha Moorthy here today.
Earlier yesterday, Hasanuddin had said police found several bones belonging to a tribesman identified as Din Hamdan, 18.
“The latest three bodies were found placed on wooden shelves and covered with a mat.
“The skeletal remains were later sent to the Gua Musang hospital for identification,” he added.
Hasanuddin said the police did not use the K9 unit in the search operation, as they had an experienced team, ably aided by the Orang Asli community.
“We are lucky that the community imparted some useful knowledge although family members of the deceased could not even remember the burial locations,” he added.