KUALA LUMPUR: A brother's strong resolve shines through as an unexpected tragedy forces him to be the hero in a harrowing tale of family, love and loss.
The story of the fatal car accident that killed a mother, father and their six-month old baby and left two of their young daughters orphaned on Saturday had since instigated the concern of all Malaysians alike, but the story on what would unfold once the hype recedes is now on the shoulders of 25-year-old Muhammad Faizznur Asyraf Husain, brother of male victim Fairuz Nizam Husain.
"My brother has entrusted everything to me in the case that anything should happen to him. This included the care of his children, our mother and the event management company that we both work for.
"Although our family members have not yet decided who will take care of (Nur Firuza) Amira and (Nur Firuza) Aqila, I assume the responsibility lies with me as my brother has entrusted me to do so," he told reporters outside the victim's home today.
The two girls, aged 7 and 4, Faizznur said, were aware of the loss of their parents and repeatedly called for them.
Earlier, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim visited the family members, bearing gifts for the children and offering words of sympathy and support for the mothers of the victims and close family members.
"The ministry will provide assistance to the children and their guardian by way of either the Foster Child Aid or the Children Aid, they (the family) has yet to decide which they prefer. The Foster Child Aid will see the guardian receiving a monthly allowance of RM250 per child while the Children Aid will see the children themselves receiving a monthly allowance of RM100 per child," she said adding that the monetary assistance would continuously be given until the children turned 18 years old.
Taking notice of the children's behaviour during the visit, Rohani said that the ministry would also be providing the services of child psychologists for the children, in aiding their traumatic experience of losing loved ones at a tender age.
Rohani highlighted that the concern shown by all members of the public in reaction to this tragedy was what made Malaysians unique.
"We are a loving, concerned society. Even for the victims' family, the husband's relatives and the wife's relatives are like one big family. They have that closeness and love between them.
"I am happy to see the close ties of this family and I am sure the two girls will not be lacking any love and care from their surviving relatives," she said.