KUALA LUMPUR: A non-commissioned officer with the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) died after collapsing at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) base in Marakah on Saturday.
Sergeant Faridah Abd Rahman had just arrived from leave in Malaysia and had alighted from the bus which brought her back to the Marakah Camp when she collapsed about 2.25am (7.25am Malaysia).
The senior supervisor for Islamic affairs for Malbatt 850-11 was pronounced dead by a battalion medical officer, said a statement from the Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters.
"Her remains were brought to Hammoud Hospital in Saida for post-mortem examination to ascertain cause of death. The post-mortem examination will be carried out today at 10.30am local time (3.30pm Malaysia).
"(Faridah) was 39 and was from Pendang, Kedah. She began her service with the armed forces by joining the army in 2007 and was assigned to the Armed Forces Religious Corps (Kagat)," said the statement.
Prior to being selected for Malbatt 850-11, Faridah was the senior supervisor for Islamic affairs for the Royal Malay Regiment's 19th Battalion (Mechanised) in Sungai Petani.
She leaves behind a husband and three daughters and a son aged between 4 and 10.
"The Joint Force Headquarters, which coordinates all operational and mission requirements for Malbatt under Unifil, will undertake the repatriation of (Faridah's} remains," said the statement.