Transportation of 2 Orang Asli women's remains resolved - Jakoa

 

The alleged delay in transferring the remains of two Orang Asli women who died due to bacterial infection and Covid-19 at Kuala Lipis Hospital has been resolved.

Pahang Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) director Johari Alwi said the bodies of the two women have been sent to their respective villages in Pos Senderut and Kampung Lenjang, both in Lipis district with the help of the department’s vehicles.

He explained that Jakoa Lipis had been organising the transfer of the bodies since Wednesday as soon as they learned of the difficulties faced by the families concerned.

However, he did not rule out the possibility that inaccurate information had been given to the families.

“There was a delay because the Jakoa vehicle that was scheduled for the transfer broke down. The transportation of Covid-19 remains requires special precautions and the appropriate vehicle.

“The vehicle involved was in Pekan that day for other duties and needed time to reach Lipis,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The journey to Pos Senderut and Kampung Lenjang, which is more than 90km from Kuala Lipis Hospital, requires suitable vehicles as the ride to the interior is long and the road conditions are difficult to navigate with normal vehicles.

Johari said he had instructed the appropriate hearses from Jakoa Pekan and Cameron Highlands to drive to the hospital to transport the bodies of the two women.

“Jakoa is always ready to help deliver the remains of Orang Asli,” he said.

Yesterday, several local media reported the complaints of two Orang Asli men who claimed that they could not bring their wives’ bodies back to their home villages for burial due to the lack of vehicles.

- Bernama