Thousands accompany Hattem's final journey

ALOR SETAR - The remains of drag racer Muhammad Hattem Rashdi, 22, who passed away due to an accident on the racing track while participating in the Malaysia Drag Bike National ET Record Championship 2023 Road Tour 2023, were laid to rest at the Kampung Padang Lalang Islamic Cemetery today.

The loss of the racer, who represented the ESR Motor team, was deeply felt not only by family members but also by friends and acquaintances, as thousands attended to accompany his remains to the cemetery.

It is understood that about 3,000 friends and fans paid their respects, including accompanying the late Hattem's funeral procession from his home to the Kampung Padang Lalang Mosque, a distance of 250 metres.

The remains were prayed over at the mosque before being buried at the Kampung Padang Lalang Islamic Cemetery at noon today.

The late Hattem's mother, Munirah Ahmad, 58, has accepted the death of her youngest child.

"We did not expect so many people from all over the state, including Johor and Kelantan, to come and pay their respects to Hattem.

"When he was being laid to rest at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA), I had already expressed my acceptance.

"I whispered in his ear... Mama forgives all your sins and loves you, my dear. Wait for Mama in heaven.

"Hattem reacted when his father recited the Yasin prayer; tears came out, his eyes blinked, and his right index finger moved slightly," she said when met at her home in Kampung Padang Lalang, near here, on Tuesday.

Recalling the memories before her son left for Pekan on Friday evening, Munirah said the late Hattem took a long time to leave the house.

"Hattem greeted me twice and apologised to everyone in the house, unlike his usual self.

"He turned around twice inside the house before leaving and got into the car with a friend.

"When they reached Mergong, they turned back to retrieve Hattem's cap left behind in the house.

"He didn't get out of the car, but his friend helped get it," she recounted.

Munirah said she never missed watching the drag races her son participated in through live broadcasts on social media.

"On that night, I watched too and saw him involved in an accident before the live broadcast was turned off.

"I thought it was just a regular accident," she added.

Yesterday, the media reported that Hattem, a participant in the Malaysia Drag Bike National ET Record Championship 2023 Road Tour 2023, passed away after fighting for more than 12 hours for his life following an accident in Pekan when the motorcycle he was riding skidded.

The victim, representing ESR Motor, was involved in the accident on the first day of the race in the early morning of last Sunday and was taken to Pekan Hospital for further treatment before being transferred to HTAA due to his deteriorating condition.