MALAYSIAN DPM MUHYIDDIN EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY OF KILLED BERNAMATV CAMERAMAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife, Norainee Abdul Rahman, Saturday has extended
condolences to the family of a BernamaTV cameraman who was killed in a shooting
incident in Somalia Friday.

Muhyiddin said the sad news of the death of Noramfaizul Mohd Nor would tug
at the heartstrings of all Malaysians, particularly the local media fraternity.


"I am sure that the death of Noramfaizul is felt not only by his family but
also by the media fraternity which has lost a colleague who was not only
dedicated and hardworking but also courageous in facing the challenges that came
with the task entrusted to him," he said in a statement.

Muhyiddin said that besides members of the security forces, journalists also
sacrificed a lost in the course of their work, especially during festivals when
they had to be away from their family and loved ones.

"Often, their sacrifices go unnoticed. It is time that we show some
appreciation for these people and pray for their safety," he said.

Noramfaizul, 39, died after he was hit by a stray sniper bullet when
covering the humanitarian aid mission of the Putera 1Malaysia Club for victims
of the Somalia famine in Mogadishu.

"We hope the family of Noramfaizul will be able to face the loss with
fortitude. We hope that Allah (God) will grant his soul repose," Muhyiddin said.

The deputy prime minister appealed to the rest of the mission in Somalia to
exercise greater caution in view of the volatile situation in that African
country.

He said the foreign ministry would help Malaysians there to return.

"I understand that the journalists covering the aid mission are returning
Sunday, and hope that they come back to Malaysia safely," he said.

Noramfaizul was one of the 55 volunteers who were in the humanitarian aid
mission of the Putera 1Malaysia Club which provided assistance to victims of the
drought and famine in Somalia.

His body was being flown back to Malaysia in a C-130 aircraft of the Royal
Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) today.

All the other members of the mission were also flying back Saturday and were
expected arrive at the RMAF airbase in Subang at about 9 am Sunday.