SEPANG: The remains of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama)'s correspondent in India, M.Santhiran arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport from New Delhi on a Malaysia Airlines flight today.
The journalist's eldest son S.Rutran, 18, accompanied his body on MH191 which touched down at 6.42 am.
On hand to receive Santhiran's remains were Communications and Multimedia deputy minister Datuk Jailani Johari and Bernama's senior management and staff.
Present were Bernama general manager Datuk Zulkefli Salleh, editor-in-chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab, deputy editor-in-chief (Economic News Service) Mikhail Raj Abdullah and Human Resource and Administration senior manager S.Visvakumar.
The vehicle carrying the coffin left KLIA Cargo Complex at 8.10 am for the family's residence in Puchong.
Family members, Bernama senior management and staff followed the vehicle in a convoy accompanied by a police vehicle.
Jailani thanked Wisma Putra for assisting in the arrangments to bring back the remains from India.
"I also wish to extend my condolences to the deceased's family on his passing which is also a great loss to Bernama because he was a senior journalist who gave his full commitment to every assignment given him," he said.
Santhiran, 48, was admitted to Primus Chanakyapuri Hospital in New Delhi on Friday due to food poisoning complications before breathing his last on Sunday.
He left behind wife D. Malarvili, 47, a teacher, and two sons, Rutran, 18, and Nahvin, 16.
He joined Bernama in October 2002 and was assigned as Bernama's correspondent in New Delhi in October 2015.
Meanwhile, Zakaria expressed his appreciation to Malaysian High Commission officials in New Delhi particularly Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Naimun Ashakli Mohammed for their help and cooperation.
He noted the high commission's expeditious manner in rendering necessary assistance to the journalist's wife and son upon arrival in New Delhi following his admission to the hospital on Friday.
"Officials at the High Commission had also helped to fetch Santhiran's wife and son at the airport, arranged for their accommodation and settling the hospital bills," he noted.
The costs involved in arranging and bringing back Santhiran's remains were borne by Bernama. – Bernama