REMBAU: Whenever Ibrahim Hamzah sees a homeless old man by the roadside, he can't help but turn his head, hoping it might be his father. His father was declared dead, allegedly stabbed, and thrown into the river near Taman Angsamas in Seremban in Oct 8, 2011, but no body or grave has ever been found.
He said after Maghrib, his father left the house without saying anything and never returned.
"We filed a police report. When there were no developments after a week, we took matters into our own hands and searched for him around Rembau," he said during an interview with Harian Metro at his residence in Taman Chembong Jaya.
Ibrahim recalled that family members even extended their search to Alor Gajah, Melaka, as his father had previously mentioned his intention to collect some debts from a friend in that area.
"However, the police informed me that my father's burnt car was found in Bandar Enstek, Nilai, but he was nowhere to be found.
"According to the investigation, a total of 20 individuals were arrested. Their statements revealed that my father was involved in a fight, stabbed, and slashed.
"One person tied a stone to his body and threw it into the Mambau River near Taman Angsamas. However, the search operation for his body was fruitless," he added.
Ibrahim expressed how, to this day, whenever he spots a homeless man, his eyes instinctively follow, hoping against hope that it might be his father.
"Though my father is gone, my heart still clings to the belief that he is somehow alive.
"While others can visit their parents' graves, I never had the chance to see my father's face one last time.
"Nevertheless, I don't hold any grudges. Our family has forgiven the murderer, who has now been sentenced," he said.