100 graves relocated from Terengganu cemetery due to coastal erosion risk

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA NERUS: A total of 100 graves at the Kampung Pengkalan Maras Islamic cemetery in Batu Rakit are being relocated in stages due to the risk of being swept away as a result of coastal erosion.
Terengganu mufti Datuk Dr Mohamad Sabri Haron said the relocation works, which involve graves situated too close to the shore, were approved by his office and carried out by the Kuala Nerus district religious office in collaboration with the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maidam), Kuala Nerus District Office, Pengkalan Maras Village Development and Security Committee and with help from villagers.
"There is no issue in relocating the graves that are at risk, as it will lead to bigger problems if they are not moved," he said.
Sabri said relocation works of the affected graves to a new site, the Hajar Kampung Gong Awang Lib Islamic Cemetery, located around 2km away from the original cemetery, will be completed as soon as possible before the monsoon season arrives.
"If possible, we want to complete it as soon as we can before more severe erosion occurs during the monsoon season, as we're concerned that more graves could be swept away. However, it also depends on factors such as the weather and others," he said.
At the end of November last year, five remains, including three that were still wrapped in burial shrouds, had to be reburied after being swept away by waves due to coastal erosion.
Norhayati Sulaiman, 51, said she felt grateful that her long-standing worry had come to an end with the relocation of her father's grave to a safer location.
"Over the past year or two, even outside the monsoon season, whenever I visited my late father's grave, I could feel sea spray hitting my face. His grave was only about two metres from the shore, so it had been a constant source of anxiety for me," said the housewife.
She expressed her appreciation for the concern shown by all parties involved in relocating the at-risk graves, including her late father's.
Laila Othman, 57, said that although some may view the coastal erosion affecting the cemetery as a misfortune, she was grateful for the opportunity to ease her longing by witnessing the relocation of her husband's grave today.
"Today, I feel as though Allah S.W.T. has granted me the opportunity to 'meet' my late husband, Mustafa Adong, who passed away on Dec 20, 2012, due to diabetes—even if it is in a different way," said the state government employee.