[UPDATED] We hope Hawari can be found soon: Penang leaders

GEORGE TOWN – Community leaders and state officials have extended their well wishes for Penang-based mountaineer Muhammad Hawari Hashim, who went missing while descending from Mount Everest.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is hoping for the safe return of Hawari.

He added that the state government also stands ready to provide assistance to Hawari’s family if needed.

“He had trained hard for the attempt,” Chow said when contacted.

Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee said he hopes the 33-year-old can be found soon.

“Our hopes and prayers are with him and his family,” Ong said when contacted.

Hawari, who is employed at the state museums board, was reported missing while climbing down from Camp Four.

Earlier, Hawari – who has a hearing impairment – became the first disabled Malaysian to reach the world’s highest summit.

As part of the National Everest Expedition 2023 team, Hawari set off on his climbing attempt last month.

He was feted by state officials such as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow before leaving for Nepal.

The news of the incident was reported by Nepal’s online media, The Himalayan Times, yesterday.

Pioneer Adventure Pvt Ltd director Nivesh Karki said Hawari was reported missing on Friday during his descent from Camp Four after successfully conquering the summit of Everest.

According to Bernama, PAS Youth’s Arts, Culture and Sports Department (DACS) will hold solat hajat (special prayers) tonight for the safety of Hawari.

DACS’ Information and New Media Unit, in a post on Facebook today, said the solat hajat will be held at the Kg Banggol Mosque, Pokok Sena here, after the Isyak prayer tonight, and the public is invited to join.

“Yesterday, we received the sad news that a member of Kelab Explorasi Altitud (ATC), Muhammad Hawari, went missing while on a Mount Everest expedition and that he is a hearing-impaired person who participated in the Malaysian Everest 2023 mission organised by ATC.

“DACS would like to invite all those who are concerned and all clubs under DACS to come to the Kg Banggol Mosque tonight to hold prayers together to pray for his well-being,” the post read.

The family of hearing-impaired Malaysian Everest 2023 expedition participant Hawari, 33, who was reported missing on Friday, is asking all Malaysians to pray that he will be found safe.

Hawari’s mother Che Tom Hassan, 64, said the family has not received any news or messages from Hawari, who is the third of five siblings.

“We (family) found out about the missing of Warie (nickname) through social media yesterday morning and I tried to contact his team to get the latest information about him but failed.

“The last time I was able to contact him was when Warie was at Camp Two, he asked us all to pray and recite the Yassin (verses from the Quran) for him to be able to climb to the top of Everest and told us not to worry about him… that he was OK and safe.

“After that, on Thursday, we got information that Warie had successfully climbed to the top of Everest and that was news that made our family happy before yesterday morning when we found out he was missing. We ask for the prayers of all Malaysians that Warie is found safe,” she told reporters when met at her house in Permatang Kerai Besar, here today.

Che Tom said that despite being shocked by the news of her son going missing, the family, including Hawari’s wife and two children, remained optimistic that he would return to his family safely.

She said the family also expressed their gratitude to all parties who held special prayers and recitations of the Yassin to pray for the safety and well-being of Hawari.

“Ever since he was in primary school, Warie aspired to climb to the top of Mount Everest and he is actually someone who is always enthusiastic, confident and active... he used to participate in all the sports and competitions at school,” she said, holding back tears several times.

She hopes that the relevant parties can forward developments or information about the search for Hawari there so that the family receives accurate news.

“Until now, we have not been able to get any information or news about Warie, as a mother it is sad but at the same time, makcik (auntie) needs to be strong and always pray that my son will be found safe soon,” she said. – The Vibes, May 21, 2023