By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Oct 4: The local community here is slowly opting for cremation as an alternative choice and the current Covid-19 pandemic has seen the numbers increasing drastically.
Sarawak Minister for Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin said an average 20 bodies were cremated in a month at the Crematorium of Persatuan Ghee San Riam Miri, which is a voluntary association.
“From January this year until now, a total of 272 bodies are cremated here, which showed an increasing trend compared to 264 (bodies) during the corresponding period in 2019,” he opined when met today during his visit to the Crematorium of Persatuan Ghee San Riam Miri.
On another note, Lee disclosed that two units of furnace at the crematorium which previously were broken, are now functioning properly after being repaired.
“A month ago there was feedback from the community in Miri that they (the deceased’s families and relatives) have to queue up for cremations, awaiting for their turn as there was only one furnace running at that time,” Lee disclosed.
He added another new state-of-the-art furnace will be operated at the crematorium once the assembling work is completed to cater for the needs of the community here.
The new unit including the extension building is worth at RM1million and equipped with a computerised furnace system.-DayakDaily
