New Muslim burial sites identified in KK

KOTA KINABALU: A few areas in the city here have been identified to be developed as new burial sites for Muslims, said State Mufti Sahibus Samahah Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar.

He said the State Islamic agency, together with City Hall (DBKK), would cooperate in developing the new burial sites and the locations are yet to be finalized.

Bungsu said the new burial sites would have the latest concept with suitable facilities such as resting places, water pipes and proper maintenance.

“The new burial sites will be different from the traditional ones we have seen. We are supporting this effort because this could increase the image and cleanliness of a burial site,” he said when addressing the overcrowding issue on existing burial sites in Kota Kinabalu.

Bungsu was met during the Barisan Simpanan Nasional (BSN) handing over of a hearse to Masjid Nurul Ihsan, Kampung Ketiau in Putatan, yesterday.

He also said there were some illegal immigrants who had secretly buried the remains of their family members at the present burial site without the permission of the mosque committee members.

“These illegal immigrants had secretly buried the remains of their family members during the night. There are burial sites provided for them (the illegal immigrants) but maybe the sites are far,” he said.

Such cases are under the observation of the State Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains) for appropriate action to be taken, he said.