MERSING: It was a heartbreaking scene when the elder daughter of Zubaidah Zakaria, 33, who died in a fatal crash which also claimed the life of her son, Uwais Rayyan Mohamad, 4, asked for her mother and sibling.
The mother and son tragically lost their lives when they were involved in an accident near Ladang Paya Munis.
Zubaidah left behind her husband, Mohamad Hassan (in his 30s), and two daughters, Nurul Najwa Maisara and Nurul Erina Sofia.
"The eldest child can understand that her mother and younger sibling will not be returning. However, she struggled when receiving the news of the passing of these two beloved individuals," said the victim's sister, Zaimah Zakaria.
Zaimah said that her family received the unfortunate news about the incident involving her younger sister and nephew at 8am, today.
According to her, Zubaidah's husband had contacted his father-in-law before requesting to see the family's WhatsApp group chat.
"My brother-in-law couldn't talk to my father because he was still shocked by the incident involving his wife and youngest child.
"When the eldest learned that his mother and younger sibling were no longer with us, Najwa struggled, saying, 'I want mama, I want my brother.'
"The eldest child is 10 years old, and the second daughter can understand what happened; they are deeply saddened by the loss of their mother and sibling," she said.
Zaimah stated that the incident occurred when her sister, Zubaidah, was on her way from Felda Nitar 2 to their mother's house in Felda Tenggaroh.
She and her three children had been at her mother's house since last Monday, taking advantage of the school holidays.
However, Zubaidah returned to Felda Nitar 2 on Monday night after receiving news of her brother-in-law's passing.
She mentioned that Zubaidah borrowed her husband's car during the incident because her own car was experiencing issues.
"She stayed at Felda Nitar 2 and left around 7am, expecting to arrive at her mother's house by 8.30am.
"We never expected that she and her youngest child would leave us forever, and losing them is a great loss for our family," Zaimah said.
Zaimah described Zubaidah as a responsible mother who drove her children to school every day.
"She was also very friendly and caring, and she raised both of her children to be independent and self-disciplined.
"We never expected that her plan to enrol Uwais in kindergarten next month would go unfulfilled," she said, adding that the remains would be buried in Felda Nitar later today.
Meanwhile, Mersing District Police Chief, Superintendent Abdul Razak Abdullah Sani, stated that the incident occurred at Kilometre 20 of Jalan Nitar-Mersing, involving a car and a lorry.
Investigations revealed that the accident occurred when the Perodua Viva, which was travelling from Felda Nitar towards Bandar Mersing, lost control and skidded before being hit by a lorry travelling in the same direction..
"The case is being investigated under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987," he said in a media statement.