KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Civil Defence personnel proved their mettle when they were recently tasked with a very rare assignment: transporting a coffin bearing the remains of a Covid-19 patient across the sea.

       On Thursday (Oct 7), these officials in blue were asked to help move the coffin from Kg Betutai Tuaran.

       The victim, Remah Ali, 87, passed away in her home on Monday (Oct 4), and was only found to be Covid-19 positive after that.

       Clad in full personal protective equipment (PPEs), the Civil Defence officials, together with Health Department staff, carried the coffin from the mouth of Sungai Betutai to the Penimbawan sea area by speedboat so that the burial can take place at the Torong Kibing island, about 3km away.

       The burial was completed just before noon.

       Tuaran Civil Defence officer Paulina Francis said such challenges do not deter them from doing their duty.

       “In fact, our personnel are well trained for various disasters, emergency response and crisis management,” she said.

       Paulina added that in some instances, they had to hike up hills and jungle trails to bring a deceased person to their final resting place.

       “We will be wherever we are needed to help out," she said.