PENDANG: The body of Sergeant Faridah Abd Rahman, the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) non-commissioned officer who died after collapsing at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) base in Marakah, is expected to be flown back on Wednesday.
The deceased's husband Noor Azmi Ariffin, 39, said an armed forces officer conveyed the information when visiting the family at noon today.
"I was informed that my late wife's body will be flown back by Wednesday.
"We expect to hold her funeral either Wednesday or latest by Thursday, pending further confirmation by the armed forces," he told reporters when met at the home of his parents-in-law in Kampung Sungai Mati.
He said Faridah's remains are expected to be laid to rest at the Masjid Tualang Muslim cemetery here.
It was reported that Faridah, 39, had just arrived from a month's leave in Malaysia and had alighted from the bus which brought her back to the Marakah Camp when she collapsed about 2.25am.
According to a statement issued by the Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters, the senior supervisor for Islamic affairs for Malbatt 850-11 was pronounced dead by a battalion medical officer.
She is survived by her husband and four children Nurul Syifa, 13; Muhammad Afnan, 10; Nurul Jannah, 7, who was born with Down syndrome; and, 4-year-old Ainul Mardiah.
Meanwhile, Azmi said his children are still coming to terms with Faridah's sudden passing.
"Our youngest child Ainul Mardhiah keeps on asking about my wife's whereabouts. She will take time to fully understand that my wife is already gone," said the former soldier whose last positing was with the 15th Royal Malay Regiment in Senawang Camp, Negri Sembilan.
He added that Faridah did not show any sign of being unwell prior to returning to Lebanon.
"However, I did notice that she was really spending quality time with the children, pampering them with all sort of gifts. That was all... the rest of the time, she was her usual self," he said.
It was reported that Faridah began her service with the armed forces by joining the army in 2007.
She was subsequently assigned to the Armed Forces Religious Corps (Kagat).
Prior to being selected for Malbatt 850-11, Faridah was the senior supervisor for Islamic affairs for the Royal Malay Regiment's 19th Battalion (Mechanised) in Sungai Petani.