Repatriation of Dr Fadi's body to Palestine within 24 hours: Envoy

KUALA LUMPUR: The repatriation of the remains of Dr Fadi Mohammed Al Batsh, a Palestinian lecturer and imam who was shot dead on Saturday, to his home country is expected to be done within 24 hours, said Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Dr Anwar H Al Agha.
Disclosing this to Bernama today, the envoy said the latest development is pursuant to the ongoing discussions he has been having with several parties in Egypt, including the matter of his family's passage back to Gaza.
"I've started (Monday) communicating with different parties in Egypt through the Egypt embassy in Kuala Lumpur, as well as through our Palestine embassy in Cairo. They told me that they are in the midst of the process and I am sure they are certain of the procedures and regulations involved.
"Egypt has its own sovereignty and with this, Insyallah (God willing), today or tomorrow we'll get the approval and the clearance to bring the body to Palestine," said Anwar following an interview with Bernama Radio's morning programme, Mentari Minda, here, today.
Anwar added he was confident that the Egyptian side would give full cooperation in the repatriation process and hoped that an update on the clearance approval will be given soon.
"We're coordinating this and we even have booked the ticket for the family members. We are quite sure they will give the approval, but it's only a matter of time ... we need to really wait," he said.
Fadi, a 35-year-old electrical engineering lecturer at a private institution of higher learning in the city, was gunned down as he was walking to a surau near a condominium in Jalan Meranti, Setapak, here at about 6am Saturday.
Yesterday, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) released the photo-fit of two suspects in the murder to all the exit points in the country.
Meanwhile, the envoy applauded the Malaysian government's commitment on the investigation, which started from the date of the incident (April 21).
"Malaysian authorities are very professional. We have full confidence in them and we are giving our full commitment.
"Our embassy officer is also in contact with Malaysian authorities involved and has been updating about the investigation," he said.
Anwar also revealed that the professor was to have left for Turkey on Saturday to attend an international conference. — Bernama