TAIPING, The remains of Malaysian climber Zulkifli Yusuf, 37, who died during a climbing expedition to Mount Denali in Alaska, United States, were laid to rest at the Kampung Temerlok Muslim Cemetery, Trong here at 2.30 pm.
Over 100 people, including family members, close friends and local community members, were present to pay their last respects to Zulkifli.
Before the burial, his remains were first brought to his grandmother’s house in Kampung Temerlok at about 11.45 am and then to Kampung Temerlok Mosque for funeral prayer at 1.45 pm.
Zulkifli’s body was repatriated home at 7.15 am Wednesday (local time) with transit flights in Lost Angeles and Incheon, South Korea. The Korean Airlines cargo flight KE373 carrying his body landed at the Penang International Airport at 8.42 am today.
His younger sister Zarina Yusuf, 35, expressed relief for the smooth process of bringing her brother’s remains back to the country, which was made possible by the efforts and cooperation of various parties.
She added that
although the family is still grieving over the tragedy, they have come to terms with Zulkifli’s passing.
‘We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all parties involved in the process of bringing back my late brother’s remains, especially the Malaysian Consulate General in Los Angeles,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Alpine Club Malaysia (ACM) representative Mohd Shobir Ahmad described the deceased as a good friend.
‘Ajoi (Zulkifli) was a friendly person who often helped others during climbing activities. He also always ensured he performed his prayers even at the mountain peak,’ he said.
Mohd Shobir mentioned that the last time he saw the deceased was during their expedition to Mera Peak, Nepal in November last year.
On June 1, ACM announced that Zulkifli, one of the three Malaysian climbers who had been stranded at an altitude of 19,700 feet on Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, since May 28, died at 6 am on May 29 (local time) while taking refuge in a snow cave known as Football Field.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency