M’sian fire department aids in burial of 420kg man after sister’s plea for help

420kg Malaysian man dies after getting stuck in toilet, sister struggles to manage his remains

The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) stepped in to assist after a 44-year-old Malaysian man died on Sunday (15 Dec).

His sister had appealed for help managing his body, which weighed 420kg.

Sheikh Mohd Ali Omar died at his home in Kota Bharu, his sister Hanoraziah Hassan told Harian Metro.

That morning, he became stuck in the toilet and was rescued by the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

However, his condition weakened, and he passed away around noon.

A tearful Ms Hanoraziah, 60, appealed for help through the media, explaining that she and her brother lived alone and that she uses a wheelchair.

She admitted feeling helpless about managing the funeral, especially when it came to lifting her brother’s body.

Adding to the challenge, the deceased did not have a health certificate — required for funeral arrangements — as he had not visited a doctor in years due to mobility issues.

Fire department provides special service for handling obese remains

In response to Ms Hanoraziah’s plea, JBPM assistant director for operations Mohd Wildan Azhari told Harian Metro that the department was ready to assist.

He explained that JBPM offers a “special service” for managing the remains of obese individuals, which includes the use of a five-tonne truck equipped with a hydraulic excavator for transportation.

If the equipment proved insufficient, the department would rely on its personnel, who were prepared to assist physically as needed.

JBPM personnel had already visited the deceased’s home to coordinate with the family.

Videos shared by the media showed JBPM staff clearing clutter from the porch of the house to facilitate the transportation process.

Meanwhile, Ms Hanoraziah shared that several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had offered help with bathing the body and arranging the burial.

She added that the death certificate had been verified by the police, leaving only the final funeral preparations to be completed with the NGOs’ support.

420kg Malaysian man carried out by 20 JBPM personnel

Eventually, Mr Sheikh Mohd Ali Omar’s body was moved from his home by 20 JBPM personnel, with assistance from villagers.

The body was transported to the cemetery using the five-tonne truck, as confirmed by Mr Mohd Wildan Azhari.

At the burial site, a homemade trolley was used to lower the body into the grave.

Mr Sheikh Mohd Ali Omar was finally laid to rest at 11.20pm, in the presence of nearly 100 villagers who gathered to pay their last respects.

Also read: Taiwanese Siblings Unable To Bury Mother Due To Poverty, Charity Steps In To Help

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Featured image adapted from Harian Metro on YouTube and JBPM Negeri Kelantan on Facebook.