BATU PAHAT: A 24-year-old Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah graduate died after she was run over by a lorry along Jalan Tanjung Laboh in Banang Jaya here at 8.35am today.
Asniza Adek @Che Ahmad, a manufacturing engineering graduate, who was scheduled to attend her convocation ceremony on Oct 22, died at the scene.
Her mother, Siti Yuana Janamin,44, said her eldest of four children was riding her motorcycle from their Sri Merlong, Rengit home to her workplace in town when tragedy struck.
Siti Yuana, a factory worker, said she was at work and was in disbelief when she was told that Asniza had died.
"Asniza is gone just when she was about to receive her scroll at the convocation. She worked to earn money to fund her travel to the ceremony.
"My time spent with her had been too short. Since she entered secondary school, she had always been away at boarding school before pursuing studies at the Tangkak Matriculation College and lastly at university.
"I was devastated when I was told she died. I am sad because we have so many memories together. But I need to accept it is fated because Allah loves her more.
"I am not strong to face this. I cannot. Ya Allah. How do I to overcome this?," she said when met at the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital's forensic unit here.
Siti Yuana described Asniza as hardworking, determined and independent as she would take up any job as means to earn to cover her daily expenses.
"She never burdened the family. I am the one she looks for when she was troubled."
Meanwhile, Asniza's younger sister Admira, 23, said her elder sister left their home later than usual because of the rain.
"We were all excited to attend her convocation. She prepared her clothes for the day.
"She underwent the Royal Malaysian Air Force' Reserve Officers Training and had completed her training last month.
"She was very proud of her achievements although she faced many obstacles," she added.
Meanwhile, Batu Pahat district acting police chief Superintendent Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said Asniza had crashed into the rear of a broken down car, which was parked at the motorcycle lane before she was struck by a lorry.
He said she had severe head injuries and died on the spot. Her body was brought to the hospital for post mortem.
A probe under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 was underway, he added.
He said those with information can contact the Johor police contingent hotline at 07-2212999 or Batu Pahat district police headquarters hotline at 07-4343999.