PUCHONG: The mother of Private Muhammad Muqriz Aseri (pic), who died on Monday (March 24), described her son as deeply passionate about his military career.
Nor Azlina Zambri, 45, said her son, the second of four siblings, achieved his dream of joining the army in December 2023 after two attempts.
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Up until his death, the 21-year-old soldier served with the 20th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (20 RAMD) at Kem Sri Miri in Sarawak.
"Angah (Muhammad Muqriz) once joked about marrying early because he didn't want to live alone in the camp's quarters for bachelors.
"When we asked him about it, he just laughed and said it was nothing serious," she recalled, speaking from her home in Taman Puchong Perdana Wednesday (March 26).
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According to the Malaysian Army, Muhammad Muqriz died from blunt force trauma to the chest.
Nor Azlina added that her son never shared any troubling experiences during his military service, including his time with 20 RAMD.
"He had been stationed there for 10 months and never mentioned anything concerning. The only time he expressed difficulty was a week after arriving in Sarawak when he said he couldn't cope and wanted to leave.
"We supported him and he reassured us everything was fine soon after," she said.
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Her last memory of him was when he returned home for a 10-day break and spent time fasting with his family.
Despite her grief, Nor Azlina has entrusted the investigation to the police and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), hoping such a tragedy will not befall another serviceman.
Meanwhile, Aseri Ismail, 49, the father of the late soldier, expressed no regret in allowing his son to join the military, proudly acknowledging his service to the nation.
Muhammad Muqriz's body was flown back to Kuala Lumpur and laid to rest at the Al-Islamiah Mosque Cemetery in Petaling Jaya at 11.55pm Tuesday (March 25). - Bernama
