Four Friends Who Drowned In Drain Laid To Rest Together

KULIM, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The four children who drowned after falling into a drain in Taman Desa Kayangan here yesterday were laid to rest together in a single grave at the Masjid Jamek Nurul Ehsan Muslim Cemetery in Sungai Karangan at about 5.45 pm today.

The remains of Muhamad Aeril Aziz Muhamad Zafis, 12, his eight-year-old stepbrother Muhammad Arif Naufan Abdullah, and their 10-year-old friend Muhammad Iman Nuruddin Khairol Anuar arrived at the Taman Desa Kayangan surau at 3.30 pm from Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar.

Meanwhile, the body of Muhammad Zafril Arsyad Muhamad Azrin, 12, was taken to his family home in Kampung Baru Gajah Merangkak here.

All remains were then taken to Masjid Jamek Nurul Ehsan, arriving at 4.10 pm, where funeral prayers were held, before they were laid to rest.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Zafril Arsyad’s father, Muhamad Azrin Saidin, 35, said he had brought his eldest of three children with him to the park while working because he was worried about leaving him at home.

“I thought it would be safe for him to come with me to the park. He could play football on the field, but I never imagined this would happen,” he said, adding that Muhammad Zafril Arsyad attended the same school as the other two victims and had been an active football player since childhood.

“My wife, Siti Aishah Abdullah, 30, is pregnant and is due to give birth in November.

“He once told his mother, ‘When I am no longer here, my younger brother will take my place,’” he said.

He said Muhammad Zafril Arsyad asked for a birthday cake in July, and he fulfilled his wish.

The four children fell into a drain while reportedly trying to retrieve a ball.

-- BERNAMA