A FAMILY in Terengganu made the heartbreaking decision to proceed with their son’s wedding on Saturday, just a day after losing three loved ones in a fatal road accident.
Hasmah Awang, 60, said that although grief weighed heavily on the family, they chose to honour the original plan for her son Muhd Syafiq Abdul Rahim’s marriage ceremony, which took place in Besut with the support of close friends and his youngest sister, Siti Zulaika, 21.
“We will hold a tahlil prayer tomorrow, which was initially planned as a reception to welcome our new daughter-in-law,” said Hasmah, speaking to reporters at the family home in Kampung Kayu Rendang, Melor.
The family was still coming to terms with the deaths of their eldest daughter, Nurul Ain Abdul Rahim, 39, granddaughter Nur Atikah Najihah Mohd Shah Penilzain, 18, and son-in-law Mohamad Faris Kamaluddin, 24.
The three were killed in a collision between a Perodua Myvi and an express bus along Jalan Kuala Krai–Gua Musang on Friday.
Hasmah and her husband, Abdul Rahim Mat Diah, 71, were unable to attend their son’s solemnisation ceremony as they were preparing for the burials, which took place after Zohor prayers at the Kampung Jambu Merah Cemetery in Kota Bharu.
She added that the family was still awaiting the return of Nurul Ain’s remains, while the bodies of Nur Atikah Najihah and Mohamad Faris were expected to be transported to Johor Bahru for burial.
Her daughter, Siti Zubaidah, 37, said the family had been looking forward to reuniting for the wedding and were left stunned by the sudden tragedy.
“I first heard about the accident from our youngest sister, but I didn’t believe it until Syafiq himself called and showed me a photo of the car they were in,” she said. - May 31, 2025