PETRA JAYA: The first day of Syawal will not have much significance for a family from Kampung Bintawa Hilir, here, when a 12-year-old boy was killed while playing firecrackers early today.
It is believed to be the first such case recorded nationwide this year.
In the 12.15am freak incident, Haiqal Hakim Zolpaka was alone when the firecrackers he was playing with exploded in front of his house in Kampung Hilir Bintawa here.
Her mother, Jaliah Suhaili, who was busy preparing Hari Raya Aidilfitri dishes, initially thought the noise was an explosion of gas cylinder coming from her neighbours' house.
"I rushed outside, as I had never heard of something so loud.
"I was shocked when I saw my son lying on the ground with blood all over his head," said a teary-eyed Jaliah recalling the incident.
The 39-year-old housewife said she was unaware of the type firecrackers her son was playing with.
"I didn't know what type (fire crackers) and where he got it. We didn't buy such things for him to play," said Jaliah, struggling to control her emotions as she was being consoled by relatives at her home.
Jaliah said Haiqal was a good boy and helped to paint his neighbour's house few days ago during the fasting month.
"I thought it (last night) was the last day of fasting and we managed to break fast with all the family members together... I didn't know it would be the last meal with Haiqal...," she said.
Jaliah said all the family members were busy doing final preparation, including cooking and cleaning when the incident occurred.
"As usual, he would walk around and play alone in the village. It was something normal so we didn't stop him (from going out)," she added.
Two days ago, the victim had followed his neighbour to shop for ‘Baju Raya’ in town.
"As I needed to care for his two-year-old younger sister, I gave him some money to buy his ‘Baju Raya’.
“I didn't expect first day of raya would become a funeral of our son," she added.
The victim, a Year 6 pupil from SK Matu Baru was the third child among four siblings.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Dev Kumar confirmed the case and that police will be investigating the incident in all angles.