Late Syed Redzuan had hoped to climb Mount Everest, says son

KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Redzuan Syed Salim Shatri, the Malaysian climber who died on Mount Damavand, Iran, had harboured a desire to climb the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, in Nepal.

The Mount Damavand climb was among his physical preparations to conquer Everest in two years’ time, said the mountaineer’s youngest child, Syed Syaqir Adhli, 18.

Each time, my father wanted to climb a mountain, he would invite the three of us to join him ... that was how we developed this hobby. Syed Syaqir Adhli, Malaysian climber’s son

He said his father’s interest in mountaineering began two years ago and this interest was also shared by his two elder siblings, Syed Shafwan Redhauddin Shatri, 24, and Syed Syauqi Ashraff Shatri, 23.

“Each time, my father wanted to climb a mountain, he would invite the three of us to join him ... that was how we developed this hobby.

“We managed to climb Mount Kinabalu recently,” he told reporters after the remains of Syed Redzuan, 50, were buried at the Bandar Tun Hussein Onn Muslim cemetery in Cheras, here yesterday.

The funeral rites which ended around 3.30 pm, started off with the prayer for the deceased led by Syed Syaqir Adhli himself at Bandar Tun Hussein Onn Mosque.

Syed Redzuan’s remains, flown from Tehran, Iran arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 10.30am yesterday.

There was sadness in the air as family members and friends gathered to pay their last respects.

Meanwhile, Syed Shafwan Redhauddin Shatri thanked everyone who participated in the search-and-rescue ( SAR) operation to locate his father in the mountain area.

“I am grateful that my father’s body was found on the mountain after the SAR operation was mounted for six days. I urge Malaysians to pray for the discovery of my father’s friend who is still missing.

“The last time I met my father was when we took part in the Ironman race in Langkawi before he left for Tehran. We are going to miss him,” he said.

Apart from his three sons, Syed Redzuan is survived by his wife, Yuszahanim Yusoff.

Syed Redzuan and Ramli Abd Majid, 44, were reported missing on the 5,610 metre- high mountain on Nov 20 after being separated from the other team members. — Bernama