CAMPAIGNING for the Port Dickson by-election slowed down today as some candidates joined a family of a fireman who died in a search and rescue mission last night.

The body of Fire and Rescue Department officer Adnan Othman, 33, was brought to his family home in Lukut after prayers at the Section 15 fire station in Shah Alam earlier today.

PKR candidate Anwar Ibrahim was at the cemetery after the burial to console Adnan’s family.

“I express my condolences to the family. They have served the country and we cannot forget that. We should also prioritise the family’s welfare,” he told reporters after talking to Adnan’s family. 

Adnan was among six members of the department’s water rescue service team who drowned while searching for a missing teenager at a disused mining pond in Puchong last night.

This morning, independent candidates, Isa Samad and Saiful Bukhari Azlan, visited Adnan’s family home to offer condolences.

Isa said he knew Adnan’s father whom he described as a long-time friend. 

“I received the news last night where one of the victims is the son of my long-time friend,” he said.

Saiful said he heard of the news last night and then learnt that Adnan was a local from Lukut. 

“I am confident it is ‘syahid’ (a martyr’s death) for him,” said Saiful.

Another funeral prayer was held for Adnan where about 200 people, mostly family members and locals, paid their last respect at Masjid Qariah Lukut Mukim Port Dickson. 

PAS candidate Mohd Nazari Mokhtar attended the funeral prayers and stayed throughout the burial service.

The six divers were caught in strong waters in the mining pool made worse by downpours earlier yesterday.

Adnan had been attached to the Shah Alam fire station, along with Muhammad Hifdzul Malik Shaari, 25 who also died.

The four others were from the Port Klang station – Mohd Fatah Hashim, 34; Izatul Akma Wan Ibrahim, 32; Mazlan Omarbaki, 25; and, Yahya Ali, 24. – October 4, 2018.