Shaharul was pumped up about being luxury aircraft pilot, says sister

Traumatic experience: Norsyahirah (left) and sister Norafzan reading updates about the crash in Manjung. — Bernama

IPOH: Komander (Rtd) Shaharul Amir Omar, one of the Elmina plane crash victims, had been delighted to be on a luxury airplane and shared plenty of selfies with his family prior to the tragedy.

Norsyahirah Omar, 29, the youngest sister of the 49-year-old former navy man, said he rarely took selfies but had shared several photos of himself with the aircraft and on board it on their WhatsApp family chatgroup.

“He was happy to be on a luxury aircraft for the first time.

“We could see from his face how excited he was,” she told reporters when met at his home in Desa Manjung Raya in Manjung here yesterday.

Norsyahirah said her brother had informed the family that Pahang state executive councillor and Pelangai assemblyman Datuk Seri Johari Harun, whom he worked for, had treated him to the flight to Langkawi.

“Shaharul Amir flew helicopters and would fly the Pahang state exco member whenever his services were needed,” she said, adding that Shaharul Amir had been working for Johari for about two years.

Norsyahirah, from Kedah, said the family only got to know of his death at about 4.30pm on Thursday.

“His wife Suhaila Akasah, 47, got to know about the crash via Facebook at about 3pm.

“She screencapped the posts and forwarded them to him but did not receive any replies,” she said, adding that her brother has four children, aged between 12 and 19.

“We tried to get more information and scoured various social media platforms for it,” she said.

Norsyahirah said Shaharul Amir, the eldest of six siblings, had been the pillar of the family since their father died in 2010 from cancer.

“He was a stern but responsible person and we always relied on him. We always went to him whenever we had any problems.

“He placed high importance on family relations and would call for a family gathering at least once a year.

“We are really shocked that he is gone just like that,” she added.

Ten people, including Johari, were killed after the Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) plane crashed on the Guthrie Highway at about 2.50pm on Thursday.