Malaysian Ferry Tragedy Victim Fauzey Awang Laid To Rest In East Java

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 12 (Bernama) -- The remains of Fauzey Awang, a Malaysian national who died in the Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry tragedy last week, was laid to rest in East Java on Friday night, in accordance with his final wish.

The deceased was buried far away from his native Terengganu, but close to the wife he visited every three months.

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Fauzey, 55, was among the passengers on board the ill-fated ferry, which was carrying 65 people and 22 vehicles when it sank near the Bali Strait on the night of July 2, nearly half an hour after departing Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, for Bali.

He had been travelling in a tour van aboard the ferry, on his way to catch a flight from Bali.

His remains was later found off Perancak Beach near Jembrana, Bali, on Thursday morning.

Indonesian authorities identified him based on his clothing and personal effects before transferring the remains to Blambangan Hospital in Banyuwangi, East Java for forensic examination.

Banyuwangi Police chief Commissioner Rama Samtama Putra said the body was handed over to the family following coordination between Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry and the Malaysian Embassy, and the submission of a formal consent letter from Fauzey’s next of kin for his burial.

“The family, who had travelled from Malaysia, met the victim’s wife here and agreed on a local burial,” Rama said in a statement.

Before the tragedy, Fauzey sent a message to his daughter Syifa Amerah Fauzey from his first marriage, expressing his wish to be buried in Banyuwangi next to his teacher’s grave. His remains was buried at the village cemetery in Dusun Lidah, Gambiran, Banyuwangi.

“He worked in Malaysia but came home every three months to be with his wife,” said Sumarni, a local relative, as reported by TribunNews.

As of Friday, 47 people have been accounted for, with 30 survivors and 17 confirmed dead. Others, including passengers not listed on the manifest, remain missing as search operations continue.

-- BERNAMA