BINTULU: Managing funeral arrangements often poses challenges for the bereaved, especially when a death occurs outside their home district.
Recognising this need, Jepak assemblyman, Iskandar Turkee, has proposed that mosques across various districts establish a collaborative network to ensure a smoother process for transporting deceased individuals, reducing the burden on grieving families.
“I see the importance of collaboration between mosques, particularly in districts such as Bintulu, Sibu, and Miri.
“If a death occurs in Sibu while the next of kin are in Bintulu, the mosque in Sibu can initially handle the funeral arrangements before handing over the remains to representatives in Bintulu for the final transport,” he said.
He made the call at the handover ceremony of a symbolic key for a funeral van donation under the Tabung Haji (TH) Mobility Programme to Masjid Darussalam Kampung Baru Darat here on Monday.
Iskandar shared his experience of receiving a distress call from an individual who was in tears, desperately seeking financial assistance to bring his mother’s remains home from Kuching to Kampung Iran, Miri.
According to him, this situation highlights the urgent need for a well-structured support system to prevent grieving families from facing undue hardship during such difficult times.
To ensure the smooth implementation of this initiative, Iskandar urged mosques to collaborate with institutions such as Tabung Haji, which has extensive experience in providing services for the Muslim community.
“I believe that if we can establish a support system between mosques and Tabung Haji, funeral management will become more efficient, particularly in cases involving long-distance transportation,” he stated.
He also called on the community to raise awareness about the importance of saving with Tabung Haji, enabling early financial preparations not only for performing the Hajj but also for other essential needs, such as funeral expenses.
“This initiative is not just about logistics; it is about our responsibility as Muslims to support one another. I am prepared to sit down with the relevant parties to draft the best action plan,” he added.
