IPOH: Nour Shafinar Harun, the widow of Major Mohd Zahir Armaya, is having mixed emotions about her pregnancy.
On the one hand, she is happy that she is going to have a baby.
On the other, she is sad that she can’t share the good news with her husband.
She said she found out about her pregnancy two days after he was killed in a shooting demonstration at Lok Kawi Camp on Wednesday.
“My friends had been telling me that I looked different and asked whether I was pregnant,” she said.
“I didn’t think so, but I did notice that I had gained some weight, although I had lost appetite lately.
“I then went to see my doctor who also commented on my physical appearance. “She asked whether I was pregnant. I took the pregnancy test, and, alhamdulillah, it was positive.
“But, I haven’t gone to the clinic for further checks yet.
“I don’t really think much about the future now, under the current conditions.”
Earlier, Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim had visited Nour Shafinar and her family at their home in Taman Perpaduan, Ulu Kinta, here.
Tuanku Zara arrived at 12.30pm and spent about half an hour with the family.
Nour Shafinar said Tuanku Zara had advised her to be patient and accept what had happened.
“She told me that I needed to muster up the courage for the sake of my children,” she said.
Nour Shafinar, 31, has three children; a six-month-old baby boy with Zahir, and two from a previous marriage.
She was overcome with emotion and had to pause several times before continuing to speak.
Zahir, 36, died after he was believed to have been accidentally shot during the launch of the Malaysian Fifth Infantry Division and the 13th Malaysian Infantry Brigade exhibition at the Lok Kawi Camp on Sept 4.
The commander of the Special Operations Group 11 (11 GGK) died at 9.20am at Queen Elizabeth 1 Hospital.
Nour Shafinar said she did not blame anyone for the shooting incident, and accepted that it was God’s will.
“It was an accident that happened during training.
“The soldiers are all sharp shooters and they know the risks that they are taking.
“You just never know what’s coming next,” she added.
It was reported yesterday that investigations into the death of Zahir was pointing towards negligence as the cause of the tragedy.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah said the case was being investigated under Section 304A of the Penal Code, and that several individuals would be called in to assist in the investigation.
“So far, investigations appear to lead to negligence, but further investigations will be carried out,” he added.
Omar said 11 individuals, including members of the military involved in the shooting incident, had already been called to provide their statements.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced a contribution of RM25,000 to the family, in appreciation of Zahir’ service and sacrifice in defending the sovereignty of the country.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he hoped that the small contribution would help to ease the family’s burden.
“The state government prays that Nour Shafinar and her family will remain strong during this difficult time.
“We are always ready to assist the family,” he said in a statement.
The contribution will be handed over to Nour Shafinar tomorrow.