MELAKA: His family had been in turmoil ever since his 41-year-old wife was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer last year.
And on Monday night, Siti Noracikin Zakaria lost the battle against the disease.
Her husband Redhuan Abdul Rashid is a man in grief during this Hari Raya season.
“My children are very sad that their mother is no more with them. This is fated,” he said.
And Redhuan, 42, has to figure out how to make ends meet as well.
He intends to open a reflexology centre at his home to generate income for his five sons aged between six and 21.
“I am considered a disabled person as I am partially blind,” said Redhuan, who discovered he had a brain tumour in 2022.
“I will try to raise about RM20,000 to renovate a room and buy the equipment for the centre.”
For now, he is grateful to well-wishers like Hang Tuah Jaya PKR chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and Dr KM Gannesh of Mediway Medical Group.
“We were touched to see many coming forward to help us including Dr Gannesh,” said Redhuan.
As for Shamsul Iskandar, the death of Siti Noracikin had shaken him too, as he had visited her at their home in Sungai Udang on March 10 to deliver financial aid and festive contributions.
“It all happened very quickly. I didn’t expect that the person I spoke to just days earlier would be gone so soon,” he said.
“She was still hopeful then of celebrating Hari Raya with her children. In fact, her six-year-old son had asked if she would be spending Raya with them.
“Now I can only pray that her soul rests in peace,” he said on Tuesday.
Recalling the visit, Shamsul Iskandar said Siti Noracikin’s situation had drawn an outpouring of support from the public, reflecting the compassion of Malaysians in times of need.
“It shows that Malaysians truly care for one another.”
He expressed appreciation to Dr Gannesh who had stepped forward to provide medical support.
“Although her condition was critical, the gesture by Dr Gannesh meant a great deal and reflected the concern Malaysians have for each other.”
