Convict who died in Peru laid to rest

JOHOR BARU: The remains of 43-year old Syzlin Hattaman, the convicted Malaysian drug mule who died in a Peruvian prison earlier this week, was laid to rest at the Kebun Teh Muslim Cemetery here on Tuesday night.

Her remains left Kuala Lumpur International Airport about 5pm, two hours after arrival from Lima and arrived at the Tun Hussein Onn Mosque, Larkin around 8pm, accompanied by Johor Baru parliamentary welfare chairman Faridah Mustafa.

Syzlin died on Oct 7 due to complications of asthma and diabetes.

She had served time at a Peruvian correctional facility, before she was granted “Semi Libertad” status on July 25, 2014, which allows the offender to serve a sentence outside a prison according to the authorities’ discretion.

Syzlin was reportedly left stranded in Peru for almost eight years after following her African lover to work in the country. It was learnt that her boyfriend was apparently a drug-trafficking syndicate member and had used Syzlin as a drug mule.

Her only known family in Johor, her late cousin Norabdah Mahmood, and aunt Jamilah Yusuf, had been campaigning for Syzlin’s safe return to Malaysia.

A woman who claimed to be Syzlin’s biological sister, Rushidah Hattaman, 57, who lives in Sengkang, Singpore, was seen arriving at the mosque around 7.30pm.

Rushidah, a housewife, said she learned of Syzlin’s death from a Malaysian news broadcast aired in Singapore.

“I had also followed Syzlin’s plight via videos on YouTube but I didn’t know who to contact in Johor Baru.”

Rushidah said all 16 of her siblings, including Syzlin, were given away when they were children. She last met Syzlin 17 years ago.

“Our father died in 1997 and our mother in 1980. There are only eight siblings still alive today and they live all over Malaysia,” Rushidah said.

Mohd Yazid Anuar, 37, a foster brother of Syzlin, said she was a caring sister and had helped him during difficult times when he last met her nine years ago.

Shaan Shah Mohd Nasir, 49, said his late wife Norabdah Mahmood’s last wish was to see her cousin Syzlin home.

“Syzlin knew my wife had died in September when I informed her through WhatsApp. Syzlin must have been heartbroken and took ill when she knew the only family she had had died.”

Syzlin was laid to rest near Norabdah’s grave.