IPOH - 'If my late brother is still alive, he will be currently at school taking his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam'.
This came from Zarul Fitri Muhd Zamrie, 30, the brother of late Muhammad Zaharif Affendi, 17, a student at SMK Jati who died after being hit by a car driven by a senior police officer, last Dec.
Zarul Fitri said his brother took the literature stream with seven subjects in the SPM 2023 examination scheduled to take place from Jan 30 to March 7.
"Supposedly, my brother should be sitting in SPM right now, if I'm not mistaken, today is the Islamic Education paper.
"The loss of my brother was also felt by his classmates. Until now, some of his school friends who come to our restaurant see our mother and cry because they miss and remember him.
"Although I try to be open-minded, but to be honest I also tear up every time I see students dressed in school sports attire, I remember my brother wearing those clothes during the incident," he said when contacted here on Tuesday.
Zarul Fitri had previously went to the Ipoh Magistrate's Court to follow the re-mention proceedings of the case.
After the court proceedings, he was accompanied by his uncle, Abdul Razak Judin, 49, to visit the grave of the late Zaharif at the Kampung Kepayang Fair Park Islamic Cemetery here.
Zarul Fitri said, although the family members still feel the loss of the youngest sibling, they have accepted the truth and started living their daily lives as usual.
"We have all accepted this. The sense of loss is always there, but we try to make peace with the destiny and provision of Allah," he said.
Meanwhile, Razak said the family members will continue to fight for justice in the case despite having to wait for a long period of time.
"The deceased's parents have accepted the death of their son and can continue the food restaurant business as usual.
"Now we just want justice for the deceased, it is okay if this matter takes time," he said.
The Ipoh Magistrate's Court on Wednesday fixed March 21 for mention of the case of a senior police officer charged with murder by causing the death of Zaharif last December.
Magistrate S Punitha set the date after allowing the prosecution's request to extend the case mention date to complete some documents that have not yet been obtained.
On Dec 18, 2023, the accused, Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak, 45, who was attached to Serious Crime Branch (D9) of Kedah Criminal Investigation Department, was charged with murder by causing the death of Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie, 17.
The offence was allegedly committed at Jalan Taman Jati 1, near Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jati, Ipoh between 12.05pm and 12.40pm on Dec 15, 2023.
The charge was presented in accordance with Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the death penalty or a minimum prison term of 30 to 40 years and a penalty of no less than 12 lashes if not sentenced to death, if convicted.
In the incident, Zaharif died at the scene of the incident after his motorcycle was chased and hit from behind.