TEEN MAY BE HIDING, SAYS FAMILY
Aunt says they are relying on news reports, social media for updates on missing nephew
CONCERN is mounting about the fate of Mohd Haziq Mohd Tarmizi, 17, who is missing following the terror attack on two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand, which has claimed 50 lives.
Haziq’s father, Mohd Tarmizi Shuib, was hospitalised with two other Malaysians, Mohd Nazril Hisham Omar and Rahimi Ahmad, for injuries sustained in Friday’s shooting.
The teenager’s family hoped his disappearance was due to trauma and that he had gone into hiding.
His relatives in Alor Star said Haziq’s mother had yet to receive information on his whereabouts.
His aunt, Zarina Shuib, 53, said they were praying for his safety.
“We believe he was traumatised and went into hiding. Imagine a teenager facing a situation like that.
“We asked the same thing to his mother, but she doesn’t have any information. I’m sure they (Haziq’s parents) are concerned.
“For now, we can rely only on news reports and social media for updates. We haven’t received any word from Wisma Putra,” she told Berita Harian.
“Many questions are running through our minds. Has he eaten? Where is he sleeping? For sure, he is traumatised. We hope his family will find him.”
The attack on the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques, which left 50 injured, including children, were New Zealand’s worst-ever mass shooting. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had condemned it as an act of terrorism.
The gunman broadcast the rampage live on Facebook after publishing a “manifesto”, in which he denounced immigrants, calling them “invaders”.
Ardern said on Saturday that authorities had started returning bodies to families and all bodies would be returned to the next of kin by Wednesday.
The victims’ names were not made public, but a preliminary list had been shared with families, said New Zealand police.
Efforts to look for Haziq are ongoing.
Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Aziz Mahathir, who is in Christchurch with Penang Caring Society and Welfare Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh on behalf of the Penang government, said this was conveyed to them by second secretary of the Malaysia High Commissioner in Wellington, Muhammad Azhari Azmi.
Azrul said Azhari told him they had informed hospitals and police about getting news on Haziq as soon as possible.
He said Azhari told him that they were in contact with New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry on the matter.
“Haziq’s mother, Marina Hamzah, told me that police will liaise with the family in their search for the teenager.
“We will keep in contact with her to get information.”
Azrul said at the time of the incident, Tarmizi, Marina and their two children, including Haziq, were at the osque.
“Tarmizi saved his youngest son by climbing over the fence of the mosque while shouting for help.”
Phee said they were worried about Haziq.
“That is why we are asking for the list of victims. They will release the list later today (yesterday). We are trying to remain positive.
“Many bodies cannot be identified and another body was recovered today,” he said, adding that the New Zealand government had been helpful.
“Tonight (last night), we will have a meeting with our local friends and the Canterbury Malaysians Society Inc, which has been helpful with arrangements.”