DNA Samples From Malaysian Habibah's Sibings Needed To Identify Remains

By Syamsiah Sahat KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- DNA samples from the siblings of the late Habibah Mahmud who was killed in a helicopter crash in Pakistan on Friday, are needed to identify her remains, says a Malaysian diplomat. Malaysian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, Aiyub Omar said the Pakistan Foreign Ministry relayed this information to him, based on feedback from the hospital. "This has been communicated to Wisma Putra (Malaysian Foreign Ministry) for further action," the diplomat based in Islamabad told Bernama, Sunday. Aiyub also said the deceased's daughter, Haziani Farhana, 26, arrived in Pakistan yesterday to assist in the identification and funeral arrangement. Habibah, the wife of Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Hasrul Sani Mujtabar, was among seven people killed in the helicopter crash at the Naltar Valley in Gilgit-Baltist, northern Pakistan. Aiyub said all arrangements were being expedited to enable the repatriation of Habibah's remains back to Malaysia. Hasrul Sani, who sustained burns on the face and hands in the Pakistani military helicopter crash was treated at the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi. "Our high commissioner is in stable condition and I hope he is well enough to accompany his wife's remains home," said Aiyub. The helicopter crash in Gilgit-Baltistan also killed the ambassadors of Norway, the Philippines and the wife of the Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan. Their remains were flown from Gilgit to Islamabad on Saturday. --BERNAMA