KUCHING: The remains of Nurhaslinda Abdullah, 30, who died in South Korea last Monday will be repatriated next week on Jan 4.
"Thank God, our prayers have been answered. Finally, my child's remains will be brought back," said her father, Abdullah Mat, 64, after being contacted by officials from the Malaysian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, who informed him of the matter.
Abdullah said that previously, the family had resigned themselves to the possibility of burying their daughter in South Korea due to financial constraints in bringing her remains back to Sarawak.
However, upon receiving the phone call today, he expressed great relief as it had always been their desire to have the fourth of their six siblings buried in their hometown of Kampung Sejingkat.
"Previously, due to the high cost of repatriating the body, we as a family discussed and agreed to bury her there. It was a difficult decision, and we had already signed the authorisation from the Malaysian embassy to allow for her burial there.
"However, upon receiving the call from the embassy official, we are grateful that our prayers have been answered, and indeed, it's a blessing that our daughter is coming back here," he said.
He made these remarks after a video call with the Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, at the Santubong Parliamentary Service Centre office today.
Abdullah stated that Nurhaslinda, who had been working in South Korea since September, previously worked in Kuala Lumpur.
"She underwent heart surgery about 10 years ago due to a hole in her heart, and she had complained to her brother about her health condition before her passing last Tuesday," he said.
The deceased passed away while en route to Cheonju Hospital, and her body is currently held at the hospital, awaiting the process to be flown back to Malaysia.
Nurhaslinda's brother, Abdul Hafiz Abdullah, expressed the family's gratitude for the public's concern and contributions after their difficulties were highlighted in Harian Metro yesterday.
"After the news was published, public contributions reached RM50,000 last night. Alhamdulillah, thank you to the generous public who contributed to lighten our burden.
"Thanks also to the Santubong Parliamentary Service Centre and Datuk Seri Nancy, who have helped a lot in managing the documentation, as well as the Malaysian Embassy in South Korea, which assisted in handling my sister's remains there and making efforts to bring her back here," he said.
Meanwhile, Nancy, currently in Kuala Lumpur, through a video call with Abdullah and Abdul Hafiz, said that her office had disbursed an initial contribution of RM31,082.25 to Wisma Putra to expedite the payment process for hospital expenses, handling the remains, and the burial of Nurhaslinda in South Korea.
"We channelled this contribution to allow an immediate burial after her family agreed to bury her there, as we did not want her remains to be stored for too long in a cold room, and if delayed, the burial costs would also increase.
"However, upon being informed that the remains will be brought back, I am thankful and express high regard for the Malaysian Embassy there, especially the Consular Department officer from Wisma Putra, Arsi Shah Erwan, and the Second Secretary of the Malaysian Embassy in Seoul, Sofiah Othman," she said.