Relief for family, friends as MH17 victim home at last

 

Student Nadine Nasharuddin holds a picture of Afif on July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic

PETALING JAYA, Aug 22 — Beyond the deep sadness felt by those close to Muhammad Afif Tambi, there is a sigh of relief as the victim of the Flight MH17 tragedy will finally be coming home.

Course mates and lecturers of the foundation student, who was studying natural and built environment at Taylor’s University College, recalled the 19-year-old as a funny person.

Afif and his family — father Tambi Jie, 49, mother Ariza Ghazalee, 47, and siblings Muhammad Afzal, 17, Marsha Azmeena, 15, and Muhammad Afruz, 13 — died after the Malaysia Airlines aircraft was downed in eastern Ukraine on July 17.

However, only Afif and Ariza’s remains will be brought home from Amsterdam today before they are laid to rest at the Semariang Muslim Cemetery in Kuching.

“I am happy the authorities were able to identify Afif’s body ... now he can be buried at last,” said course mate Afiqah Zahra, 19.

Afiqah was back in Kuching during the semester break when she heard the devastating news.

“It was a really shocking and sad moment, knowing that I had lost a good friend. We used to hang out a lot, and being from the same hometown, it was easier to connect. Also, we both loved cats.”

Another friend, Nadine Nasharuddin, 19, said it was a relief that Afif’s remains were being brought back as his family could now give him a proper burial.

“When I found out about the incident, I was hoping he was not on board. Sadly, he was. I cried ... it was just so sudden to know of his passing,” she said.

“He was always the joker within our circle and he was such a great friend to all of us.

“We often travelled together and usually met up to discuss our assignments. Since he has left us, the group has become a lot quieter.”

Culture and civilisation lecturer Normah Sulaiman, 31, was conducting a tutorial when she received the news through a phone call.

“The students were confused when I started to cry after I found out what had happened to Afif. I couldn’t speak and I had to excuse myself to calm myself down. I cried the whole day.”

Normah described Afif as a quiet boy in class and a good student.

“He had an eye for detail and was very talented.”

She admitted she missed the way Afif responded in class, usually by just raising his hand without saying anything, when his name was called out for attendance and how he wore his cap backwards.

“I will be flying to Kuching to be with his family for the burial. It is my duty to pay my final respects.”

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