Mother: My son died doing what he loved best

KOTA BARU: The mother of Muhammad Hifdzul Malik Shaari, one of the six firemen who died during a search and rescue mission, is proud that her son remained true to his passion to save lives.

Wan Kamilah Wan Yaacob said her son had been passionate about pursuing a career that involved saving lives since he was in school.

“That was why he applied to join bomba (Fire and Rescue Department) soon after completing his Form Six.

“My heart feels heavy losing my only son. It is all fated. But I am proud he died while trying to save another,” she said when met in Kampung Terap, Pasir Mas.

On Wednesday, Muhammad Hifdzul, 25, was among the firemen who drowned during a mission to look for a missing teenager.

Wan Kamilah, 53, said her son would share his rescue experiences whenever he returned home.

In Kuantan, as the family of Mohd Fatah Hashim grieved over his death, they also remembered him as a dedicated fireman.

Despite her sadness, Mohd Fatah’s wife Nadia Kamaludin said she was proud of him.

“I have to let him go with an open heart,” she said after Mohd Fatah was buried at the Muslim cemetery in Beserah yesterday.

Nadia, 29, said she last saw her husband at their house on Wednesday when he came home for lunch.

Hisham Abas, 69, said his son was healthy and fit to do strenuous tasks like diving.

“We are still in a state of shock but slowly coming to terms with him having left us,” he said.

Mohd Fatah leaves behind two children – Nur Medina Aisya, two, and one-year-old Muhammad Meqa Al-Asyraf.