Salor villagers gifted new hearse after 28-year struggle

KOTA BHARU - A breakdown that forced villagers to carry a body on foot after their improvised hearse failed mid-journey remains one of the most unforgettable trials for the Al-Azim Mosque committee in Salor.

Senior Imam Zakaria Mat Zin recalled the incident, which occurred en route to a cemetery, as a stark reminder of the community's long-standing logistical struggles.

For 28 years, residents of the area relied on a slatted-timber lorry, typically used for hauling paddy crops, to transport the deceased before eventually upgrading to a second-hand van.

"We bought a used van using donations from the local community, but it broke down frequently," Zakaria said when met after receiving a new hearse worth RM155,000, donated by Etiqa Takaful in collaboration with Islamic Aid Malaysia (IAM).

"There are more than 2,000 residents across seven villages here, serving three cemeteries: Tok Jebok, Jenerij and Keladang."

The handover ceremony was officiated by Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad Chief Executive Officer Zafri Ab Halim and IAM President Zawahir Abdullah.

Zakaria said the new hearse is a long-awaited milestone for the parish.

"This is our first brand-new hearse in 28 years. We are deeply moved because we had approached various parties multiple times before without success," he said. "By God's grace, this has been realised much faster than we anticipated."

He added that the new vehicle would streamline funeral arrangements and ensure smoother journeys to the burial grounds.

"This mosque is nearly 80 years old, having been built in 1971, so a facility like this means a great deal to the entire parish," Zakaria said, adding he hopes the vehicle will ensure local funeral rites are conducted with utmost dignity moving forward.