Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim yesterday urged members of the public not to spread or share photographs of victims of the May 5 helicopter crash in Sebuyau.

When met at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) morgue, Rohani said as a sign of respect to family members of the victims the photographs should not be shared and/or shown to the public.

“It is unethical and I urge everyone to stop spreading and sharing those images,” she said.

On another matter, Rohani said the identity of the body which was recovered from Batang Lupar yesterday was yet to be confirmed as of 7pm yesterday.

“The forensics are still conducting their autopsy and with the arrival of family members from Philippines, I believe the identification process will be completed soon,” she said.

She added that the Philippines embassy had been contacted and a representative from the embassy in Kuala Lumpur will be arriving in Kuching today to arrange documentation and delivery of the body back to his native country.

“Family members are still sad and we have engaged a counsellor to talk to them,” she added.

The body is believed to be that of Captain Rudolf Rex Raggas. It was retrieved from Batang Lupar by SAR personnel.

The confirmation of the identity of the body should complete the search for all victims of the crash.

Rudolf’s wife Mira Britannico Surella accompanied by her niece Rhedgel Raagas Serafin arrived in Kuching on Sunday and according to Rohani, the family had been doing everything necessary to help the local authorities identify the body.

Rohani who is also Minister of Women, Family and Community Development thanked the locals in Batang Lupar, especially those who had assisted in the search and rescue (SAR) operation, for helping in the search for the victims.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Saiful Bahari

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