Non-Governmental Organisation Donates Hearse to Ease Burial Costs for Malaysians in Singapore
SINGAPORE, Feb 16 (Bernama) — Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Muslim Care Malaysia (MCM) has donated a hearse to its Johor-based NGO partner, 1ThirdMedia Movement, to reduce the cost and time to bring back the remains of Malaysians from Singapore.
MCM president Zulkifli Wahijan said the donation of the van, worth RM180,000, is hoped to ease the financial burden on family members and facilitate the process of managing the remains.
The Van: A Game-Changer for Burial Arrangements
"The van is currently in the process of being modified to accommodate coffins and so on, and is expected to be fully handed over for use by 1ThirdMedia Movement in May," said Zulkifli.
"This is a good effort between the NGO and the government through the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore, which advised us in this process," he told Bernama at the Funeral Van Donation Dinner at the Malaysian High Commission here on Saturday.
Reducing Costs and Time
1ThirdMedia Movement founder Razuan Yazid said the donation was seen to reduce the cost of transporting bodies back from Singapore to Malaysia by land by up to 75 per cent, from around RM10,000 to around RM2,500.
The use of the van was also seen to save time and simplify the process of managing bodies which have been largely dependent on services operated by companies in Singapore, he said.
"Our hope is that from now on, we can save time because the bodies will be brought back directly to their hometowns," he said.
Background and Statistics
Based on information shared among NGOs, there are an average of four to six deaths each month involving Malaysians working in Singapore.
Government Support
Meanwhile, the Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore, Datuk Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, said that currently, the government through the Malaysian Immigration Department has prepared a guideline at the Malaysian land entry point to facilitate the process of bringing back the remains of Malaysians.
"Through this SOP, the funeral management can directly contact the operations office at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex and Sultan Iskandar Building to use special routes to expedite entry into Malaysia," he said.
He also advised Malaysians, especially the more than 300,000 who commute to work in Singapore every day, to practise safe-driving etiquette.
Conclusion
The donation of the hearse is a significant step in reducing the financial burden on family members and simplifying the process of managing the remains of Malaysians who have passed away while working in Singapore. With the government’s support, the NGO’s efforts to provide a more efficient and cost-effective solution for burial arrangements are likely to bear fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the cost of transporting bodies back from Singapore to Malaysia?
A: The cost can range from RM10,000 to RM2,500 with the new hearse.
Q: How often are there deaths involving Malaysians working in Singapore?
A: There are an average of four to six deaths each month.
Q: What is the government’s role in facilitating the process of bringing back the remains of Malaysians?
A: The government has prepared a guideline at the Malaysian land entry point to facilitate the process of bringing back the remains of Malaysians.