The government is willing to help the family of terrorist Dr Azahari Husin to bring his body back to Malaysia for burial if he is confirmed to be among the three men killed in a raid by Indonesian police in Malang, East Java on Wednesday, said Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar said last night.

However, Azahari's family must make an official request to the government, he was quoted by Bernama as saying.

"It is the policy of the government to help bring back the body of any Malaysian who dies abroad, regardless of who it is.

"This is a normal process and the government is willing to give its cooperation but since Azahari is a wanted man and there is bound to be bureaucracy involved, the government is asking the family to make an official request," Noh told reporters at his Hari Raya open house in Kuala Lumpur.

He was asked to comment on the wishes of Azahari's parents-in-law and wife Wan Noraini Jusoh to claim the body from the Indonesian authorities.