By Karen Bong and Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, April 25: The family of the late Able Seaman Joanna Felicia Rohna should not have to worry about her children’s welfare, as the government should be able to take care of the matter, opines Serian MP Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem.
Riot said as MP, he would make sure her two children are taken care of but he preferred to leave it to the Ministry of Defence to answer.
He added that the welfare matter could be brought up by the army’s First Infantry Division 30th Commander in Sarawak Datuk Fauzi Kamis and Malaysia Royal Navy’s Lumut naval base commander Admiral Ir Franklin J Joseph, who was present at Joanna’s funeral today.
“I hope the government will take care of these children’s welfare. That is all I can say,” he told reporters after Joanna’s funeral at the Kampung Engkaroh cemetery along Jalan Mongkos, Tebakang Serian.
He said Joanna’s passing was a loss to the nation and a shock to her family, as well as himself.
“She is a national hero and we are proud of her, but sadly her life was cut short after she perished with nine other navy officers in the helicopter crash on April 23.
“As MP and on behalf of her family, we accord our gratitude to the Malaysia Army, the Royal Airforce and the Royal Navy where she worked,” Riot added.
Among those present was Lieutenant-General (R) Datuk Stephen Mundaw. — DayakDaily
