Syawal for four orphan siblings filled with sorrow
PUTATAN - A year ago, a family of seven met with an accident which claimed the lives of three of them.
Four siblings who survived the crash remembered the fateful event as clear as the day as it was when they became orphans.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri which was once a joyful celebration for them was now filled with sorrow as the tragedy which happened along Jalan Kimanis-Keningau, Papar, kept haunting them.
Nursazzey Shazmeka Mazlan, 16, said she could never forget that night because for two years, they were unable to celebrate Aidilfitri with their parents and sister.
“Usually, during this time (ahead of Hair Raya) we would be busy making all sorts of preparations for the celebration.
“Dad would be decorating the house according to how mom wants it while me and my other siblings would clean the house,“ she said when met at their home at the Taman Sri Keramat People’s Housing Project (PPR), here, recently.
Nursazzey Shazmeka said since her parents passed away, she was the one who took care of her siblings.
“Now, I do it myself and I have to be independent as my siblings are still small,” she said.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Irfan Ihtisyam, 11, said he still remembers his parents and sister who had left them forever.
“I need to be strong as I am the only son and I have to help my sister take care of the younger siblings,” he said.
According to their grandmother Naisah Miss, 61, she said it was her responsibility to care for the four siblings since her daughter died in the accident.
“I was sad as the children had lost their parents at a young age, so me and my husband took up the responsibility of taking care of them.
“Alhamdulillah, various parties has helped the children financially for school and other things,” she said.
Naisah said it was not difficult to take care of her grandchildren as the eldest one was all grown up and was able to take care of her younger siblings.
On March 31, 2021, a car carrier truck the seven victims were travelling in skidded and caused the death of Mazlan Abdullah, 38, his wife Norafidah Sukeymin, 37, and their second child Nursazilla Shazmira, 12.
However, Nursazzey Shazmeka, Muhammad Irfan Ihtisyam, Nurmya Shaznira, 8, and their youngest sibling Nurnafisya Shazniza, 5, survived.
