BATU PAHAT: Muhammad Fikri Saliman, a hardworking young man from Batu Pahat, tragically lost his life in a water surge at Jeram Air Putih in Kemaman. He had been working multiple jobs to save enough money for his upcoming wedding. Those close to him described him as determined and dedicated.
During an interview at Muhammad Fikri’s funeral in Kampung Parit Kuda, Semerah, his elder brother, Shahrizal, shared the family’s grief. They had been looking forward to Muhammad Fikri’s wedding, which was scheduled to take place at the end of this year.
However, fate had a different plan. On July 1, Muhammad Fikri and his fiancée, Putri Balqis Izzati Abdul Rahman, were having a picnic with her family in Terengganu when the water surge occurred. Unfortunately, all 10 people in the group, including the couple, lost their lives.
Muhammad Fikri, the youngest of five siblings, was the ninth victim to be recovered. His remains were found on Friday at 9.20am, bringing some relief to his family. He was laid to rest in a Muslim cemetery, surrounded by loved ones, at 7am.
Now, the focus of the search efforts is on locating the final victim, Putri Nor Fatin Karim, who is only 14 years old. The Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is concentrating their search on an area where new sandbars and debris have emerged following the water surge.
JBPM Zone 2 chief Senior Supt II Azman Alias stated, “We will focus on the locations that were identified yesterday (Friday) where the earlier victims were found, and we will expand the search to nearby areas. With the help of four tracker dogs, we will dig up the newly-formed sandbars and thoroughly search the previously covered areas.”
The search operation, involving 250 members, will also pay close attention to the piles of debris that have emerged due to changes in weather and rain. Efforts to find Putri Nor Fatin Karim’s siblings and parents have been successful, and they have been laid to rest in Felda Lepar Hilir 3, Kuantan, Pahang.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
