A member of the Malaysian Battalion 850-11 (Malbatt 850-11) serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission passed away yesterday.

The Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters (MAF HQ) announced that Sergeant Faridah binti Abd Rahmah, 39, collapsed and lost consciousness while disembarking from a bus at Marakah Camp around 7:25 AM Malaysian time.

According to the statement, Faridah, who served as the Senior Supervisor of Islamic Affairs for Malbatt, had just returned to Lebanon after completing her leave in Malaysia.

“The late Faridah’s remains will be sent to Hammoud Hospital, Saida for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

“The autopsy will be conducted today at 10:30 AM Lebanon time, or 3:30 PM Malaysian time,” the statement read.

Faridah, who hailed from Pendang, Kedah, joined the Malaysian Armed Forces as an Army personnel in 2007 and was assigned to the Armed Forces Religious Corps (Kagat).

“Previously, she served as the Senior Supervisor of Islamic Affairs at the 19th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (Mechanized), Airport Camp, Sungai Petani, Kedah, before being deployed to join the Malbatt 850-11 UNIFIL mission.

“She was married and had four children, three daughters and a son, aged between four and ten years old,” it said.

The statement also mentioned that the Joint Forces Headquarters will manage the repatriation process of Faridah’s remains to Malaysia.

“Any further developments will be communicated in due course,” it concluded.