Remains of M’sian who died in Indonesia quake to arrive today

PETALING JAYA: The body of Siti Nur Iesmawida Ismail, who died at Mount Rinjani in Indonesia, is expected to arrive here today.

According to media reports, the victim’s sister, Siti Nurhanez Ismail, said the body could not be brought back yesterday due to the paperwork process.

Her husband Mohd Hafiz Kassim, 30, flew to Lombok at about 8am yesterday to settle the paperwork.

When contacted yesterday afternoon, he said he could not talk much as he was busy meeting with the local authorities.

Siti’s father Ismail Abdul Raffar said the family only found out about her death through media reports and were still waiting for matters to be resolved in Indonesia.

The 62-year-old, who has two other daughters, said Siti was a college lecturer at Miraj Academy in Ampang.

Meanwhile, Malaysia will be sending aid to help with the rescue efforts in Lombok.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia intended to send help in the wake of the earthquake.

Malaysian embassy officials in Indonesia, he added, were striving to ensure the safety of Malaysians in the earthquake-hit area.

Separately, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said the ministry was prepared to deploy its resources to Lombok and would discuss the matter with Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Jen Zulkifli Zainal Abidin.

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the popular Indonesian tourist destination of Lombok at about 7am on Sunday, leaving at least 16 people dead and about 160 others injured.

On Sunday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that one Malaysian died and six others were injured.