THE body of commando officer Major Mohd Zahir Armaya arrived at the Wardieburn Camp mosque in Jalan Genting Klang, Setapak, for funeral prayers early today.

More than 1,000 people, including family members, friends and pressmen, were present when Zahir’s remains arrived at 1.48am.

The 36-year-old was shot during a commando demonstration, held in conjunction with the launch of the 5th Infantry Division and 13th Infantry Brigade, at the Lok Kawi Camp in Kota Kinabalu yesterday morning. He died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, about 14km from the camp.

Present to pay their last respects in Kuala Lumpur were Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, army chief General Ahmad Hasbullah Ahmad Nawawi, navy chief Admiral Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, senior private secretary to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Colonel Nazim Mohd Alim and Zahir’s father, actor A.R. Badul.

The funeral prayers were done at 2.43am. The body was then taken to the Tambun Muslim cemetery in Ipoh for burial after Subuh prayers.

Zahir, who was based at the Sg Udang Camp in Malacca, leaves behind a wife and five children, aged between 5 months and 9 years.

Nazim conveyed condolences on behalf of Agong Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah to Zahir’s family.

“I also handed over a contribution from the king and queen to Zahir’s wife, Nourshafinar Harun.”

Nourshafinar, 31, said she last saw her husband on August 26, before he left for Sabah. – Bernama, September 5, 2019.