KOTA KINABALU: As laughter fills homes and tables overflow with festive dishes, Lt (M) Mohd Izham Syahimi Ramli is surrounded by the roar of engines and the endless horizon.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officer was patrolling the South China Sea, nearly 2,000km from his hometown in Kedah, while many Malaysians celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri with family.
The 40-year-old has not returned home since his posting here more than two years ago.
His wife and two children remain on the peninsula to continue their schooling with friends and family nearby.
“Being away from them, of course I feel sad, especially when I hear the ‘takbir Raya’. But I see this as a mission and responsibility I have to carry out,” he said.
Lt Mohd Izham called his family to greet them on Hari Raya, and they, understanding his duties, reassured him that everything was fine and reminded him to take care.
He said he would join a modest feast with his colleagues after returning to the MMEA depot following a seven-day sea operation.
“I am thankful for all these buddies I made here. We support, help and take care of one another. Our bond has grown to be like a family,” he added.
For Sub-Lt (M) Aimi Najiha Abdullah, Hari Raya is a reminder of promises she could not keep.
The 41-year-old has spent the festival away from her mother, Bariah Mohd Zain, in Terengganu for the past five years due to work commitments. She has served in Sabah for 11 years.
Sub-Lt Aimi Najiha had promised her mother she would return for Hari Raya this year after her father passed away recently, but her plans fell through. However, she was grateful that her siblings explained her absence to their mother and kept her company.
Sub-Lt Aimi Najiha also called daily and made regular video calls to her family and friends.
Recalling her first days in Sabah, she remembered having no friends or family apart from her maritime comrades. But over time, she built close relationships and now has an “adoptive” family.
“I am grateful for my comrades, friends and the family I have made throughout my years here. Because of them, I still feel like I belong to a family even though I am far from home,” she said.
In Lahad Datu, Sjn Masrul Mohamed had his eyes on the computer screens, carefully tracking and analysing data at the Eastern Sabah Security Command operations centre.
The 41-year-old supervising officer has not returned to his hometown in Kelantan for Hari Raya in three years.
“For us in the security forces, we have long embraced a spirit of tolerance, taking turns to celebrate, whether before or during the festive season.
“Even though a sense of sadness lingers, duty and responsibility remain our top priority.”
Married with three children, Sjn Masrul noted that a one-way air ticket during the festive season easily costs over RM500.
“Beyond the cost, the nature of my assignments often limits our time together. Even if my family visits, I barely have time with them, so it will be better for them to stay at the hometown,” he said.
Despite the distance, he sent warm Hari Raya greetings to his family, particularly his parents and siblings in Kelantan, cherishing the connection across the miles.
