Remains of Azizulhasni's father laid to rest

DUNGUN: The remains of Awang Embong, father of national track cycling champion Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni, were laid to rest at the Syed Yahya Muslim Cemetery here at 2.45pm Monday (Jan 31).

According to Azizulhasni’s brother, Mohd Azrul Hafidz, 35, the funeral prayers were performed at Surau Ustaz Omar Shukri here, and the remains were buried next to the grave of his late mother, Rokiah Husian, who died in 2001.

However, he said Azizulhasni, who is undergoing training in Melbourne, Australia, could not return to Malaysia to pay his last respects, as his wife Datin Athiah Ilyana Abd Samat, 36, is due to deliver their baby anytime soon.

"Azizul called to inform us that he could not make it home, and we siblings understand his situation.

"The last time they met each other was when Azizulhasni was back home in early January before returning to Melbourne last week. He had asked my father to pray for him and his wife," Azrul Hafidz said.

Meanwhile, Azrul Hafidz described Awang as a very supportive father who had always encouraged his children to follow their passion and was one of the figures who had contributed to Azizulhasni's success.

"When he was told that Azizul won the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, he gave a big smile and we knew he was very happy and pleased with the achievement," he said, adding that Awang had been suffering from stroke for the past five years and his speech was affected since two years ago. - Bernama