Seeking closure: Mohamed Haniff (second from right) speaking during a press conference in Petaling Jaya,as (from right) aysar’s sister amyra Zahra, salbiah and saiful listen on. — Muhamad Shahril Rosli/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The father of a brilliant accounting student, who died nearly three weeks ago, is still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
“He was a good and obedient son. And he was a pleasant boy. Even when I bathed his remains, he had a smile on his face.
“This is our ‘gift’ of seeing our son go to heaven,” Saiful Alimin Mohd Mokhtar, 58, said.
His 20-year-old son Aysar Zahran (pic), who was ranked second in the world in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Foundation in Accountancy examination, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Feb 2.
He died at the scene along Jalan Hulu Langat-Ampang after an MPV ploughed into his motorcycle and four other bikers while negotiating a bend.
Just days before the accident, Saiful said he had been looking to celebrate three birthdays in the family – that of his ex-wife, an older son aged 23, and his own.
“We had planned for a family gathering,” he recounted.
“My birthday is on Feb 8. His mother and elder brother share the same birthday on Feb 10. We had wanted to celebrate our birthdays at a restaurant on Feb 9.”
He said Aysar was looking forward to the occasion “but he left us exactly a week before that”.
“Naturally, we are heartbroken,” said the self-employed father of four.
Recalling that fateful day, Saiful said Aysar, who was the third of four siblings, had made a surprise visit to his mother in Hulu Langat.
Aysar, who was a college student staying in a hostel in Gombak, had earlier attended archery practice not far from their house.
The accident occurred just minutes after Aysar left home for his hostel, said Saiful.
Upon getting news of the accident, Aysar’s elder brother rushed to the accident scene, where he found out that Aysar had passed away.
“All parents hope their children would bury them upon their death but I had to bury my son.
“However, after viewing a video of the accident (captured on a car dashcam), all I could say is that it was destined by God.
“He was ‘lent’ to us by God and when He wants him back, we have to return him,” Saiful said.
Aysar’s mother Salbiah Mohamed Ismail, 57, said her son decided to be an accountant when he was in Form Four.
“He confided in me once that his studies were getting tougher but I told him to persevere,” she said.
As much as they accept their son’s death as God’s will, Aysar’s parents want those responsible for the collision to face justice.
Saiful urged the police to expedite their investigation, adding that he understood the constraints faced by police such as manpower issues and high workload, but hoped the investigation would conclude soon.
“We have to come to terms with his death, but we hope that the offender will be charged in court.
“If he is found guilty, then the appropriate punishment should be meted out to see that justice is served.
“This is not solely for our son but also other road users as well,” he said yesterday at the legal firm of his lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla.
Mohamed Hanif said the case is being investigated for reckless or dangerous driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act.
“My client has no complaints against the police. They have been very professional in executing their duties and we understand they have a responsibility in carrying out their other duties too,” he said.
However, he said his clients wanted justice for their son and hoped that the probe be promptly carried out and concluded.
According to police, an MPV driven by a 27-year-old man had veered into the opposite lane and hit Aysar’s motorcycle.
The MPV driver was held and remanded for a day before being freed on bail.
Four other motorcyclists suffered injuries.
It is learnt that police have also interviewed witnesses and obtained dashcam recordings that captured the accident on video.
Police have urged those with information to contact the investigating officer Insp Narolhisyam Endi at 019 589 7115.
