Flags at Fire and Rescue stations at half-mast nationwide till Sunday

KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) flag, the Jalur Gemilang and state flags at all Fire and Rescue stations in the country are flown half-mast beginning yesterday until Sunday.

JBPM in a statement yesterday said the flying of the flags at half mast was being carried out as a mark of respect and appreciation for its six divers who drowned during a search and rescue (SAR) operation in Puchong near here on Wednesday.

“JBPM expresses its gratitude to everyone for conveying their condolences and showing appreciation for the sacrifices of the fallen heroes.

“The concern and support shown are very much appreciated. It strengthens the spirit of our fire and rescue personnel to continue serving the people wholeheartedly,” the statement said.

The department said it would also do its best to ensure the welfare of the six divers’ nextof-kin was taken care of.

In the 9.15pm incident, the six divers died when conducting the SAR operation for a teenager who fell into a disused mining pool at Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong.

Four of the divers who died, from the Port Klang Fire and Rescue station, were identified as Mohd Fatah Hashim, 34, Izatul Akma Wan Ibrahim, 32, Mazlan Omarbaki, 25, and Yahya Ali, 24.

The other two; Adnan Othman, 33, and Muhammad Hifdzul Malik Shaari, 25, were from the Shah Alam station.

Their remains were laid to rest at their respective hometowns yesterday.