Copter crash: Family, friends pay last respects to Dr Sundaran
THE STAR
Dr Subramaniam paying his last respects.
SUBANG JAYA: Family and friends of Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai turned up in droves to pay their last respects to the late civil servant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Sarawak.
Dr Sundaran, who was Plantation Industries and Commodities secretary-general, was one of six people killed in the helicopter crash on Thursday.
Among those who turned up at the deceased's family home here on Sunday were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and National Treasury chief secretary Tan Sri Irwan Serigar Abdullah.
Dr Subramaniam fondly remembered Dr Sundaran for his contributions to Malaysian economy, specifically to the Indian community.
"His death is a loss to the nation as a whole, and to me personally, as we were friends since his time serving at the World Bank," he said.
Irwan Serigar was also choking back tears as he arrived for the funeral of his friend of 32 years.
"I have worked with him since our early days in the Finance Ministry.
"He was the one responsible for bringing the World Bank regional office to Malaysia through his influence when serving as the officer responsible for the South-East Asian region," he said.
Dr Sundaran was kn
own as one of the finest Malaysian economists outside of Bank Negara, with extensive knowledge of regional markets.
Those who were killed in the tragedy included Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon, her husband Asmuni Abdullah, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khai-ril Anuar Wan Ahmad and Noriah's bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun.
The helicopter they were travelling in from Betong to Kuching crashed near Batang Lupar.
The search is on for the final victim - Filipino pilot Rudolf Rex Ragas.
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| The C130H aircraft carrying the remains of the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai |
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| Remains of Dr Sundaran arrive at Subang RMAF base |
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| Police officers carrying Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai's hearse to his residence |
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