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MH17 tragedy: Boy, 3, still asks dad, 'When is mother coming home?'

This article is more than 12 months old

Where is mother? When is mother coming home?

These are the questions three-year-old Alif Hazim, who is learning to talk, constantly asks his father Mohd Tarmizi Ismail​.

His mother, Malaysia Airlines stewardess Hamfazlin Sham Mohamed Arifin​, was among the 298 who died in the MH17 crash in Ukraine last year.

Mr Mohd Tarmizi​ told Bernama on Sunday (June 28) that he still feels the agony of his loss when asked by others about his wife.

He said the questions force him to relive the dark moments following the July 17 tragedy and fill him with sadness.

"I am grateful to be surrounded by caring people who look out for my family. Although I have to go on with life, it sometimes hurts when I have to relive the moments of the tragedy," he said.

Visit her grave

Mr Mohd Tarmizi​​ said his older son, nine-year-old Alif Haiqal​, understands why Ms Hamfazlin is no longer present in their lives.

"Only my younger son who is just learning to talk, constantly asks me 'where is mother?', 'when is mother coming home?'," he said.

Mr Mohd Tarmizi​​ said he takes his sons to visit her grave every week.

He hopes the authorities will speed up the investigations into the crash and keep the victims’ family members informed.

'We feel his absence'

MH17 pilot Wan Amran Wan Hussin's presence is still missed, said his nephew Amaluddin Noorshah.

"Each time there is a family gathering, we feel his absence, especially now that it is almost Raya, as he used to handle everything (preparations).

"We accept this test, but only that we hope the investigation report (on the MH17 crash) will be announced soon," he said.

Mr Amaluddin Noorshah said he is constantly in touch with Mr Wan Amran’s wife and children to give them moral support.

Anniversary of the tragedy

Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said on Saturday (June 27) that a special ceremony will be held at Bunga Raya Complex in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragedy.

The aircraft was shot down while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17 last year. 

Of the 298 people on board, 44 were Malaysians. The rest were Dutch, Australian, Indonesian, British, German, Belgian, Philippine, Canadian and New Zealand nationals.

Source: The Star Online

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