KUBANG PASU: Shubiah Roslina Shahibi, the wife of murdered Sabari Baharom, though surrounded by family members, cut a lonely figure as she stood on the bridge over Sungai Padang Terap.
This was, after all, the spot from which her husband, still alive but bound and gagged, was flung into the river by his murderers.
The search for Sabari's body was called off yesterday and the family was there to bid a final farewell at the spot which Shubiah says will be, for now at least, "his unmarked grave".
Speaking to reporters after coming off the Kampung Empa Bridge, she said she would be returning to Kuala Lumpur.
"For now, this is Sabari's unmarked grave, and I accept what has happened.
"I will return if time permits or if the remains are found," she said.
While speaking, she appeared composed, though her voice broke at times.
Shubiah, who is a Felcra headquarters employee, said she must return to Kuala Lumpur to handle several matters after spending three days in Kedah monitoring the search efforts.
"Though the hope of finding his body is slim, I accept this as a test of faith. This will be his resting place for now, and the Felcra religious bureau will hold prayers for him soon.
"I've told them to proceed with what's best. Even though the search has ended. If, by some miracle, his body is found, we'll take it from there," she said.
Shubiah also expressed her gratitude with the way the authorities carried out the search operation.
"I understand the limitations faced by the authorities in locating him given the time (one month) that has passed since the incident.
"I was informed that the riverbed has whirlpools, making it dangerous for the search team to continue. The search was called off, but they will persist in investigating other avenues to charge the suspects," she added.
Shubiah said she and her family had come to terms with the situation, though the longing for her husband remains strong.
"My daughter, who is in her 30s, was also fond of him, even though Sabari was only her stepfather. His kindness had earned her love and respect."
On Sept 30, police reclassified the case as murder following the arrest of two prime suspects, a 38-year-old contractor and his nephew, aged 26.
Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh had said the suspects admitted to binding Sabari's hands, taping his mouth, and throwing him into the river.
Prior to that, police had detained a 62-year-old woman to assist in the probe after it was discovered that there were suspicious money transfers from Sabari's account, following his disappearance.
It was reported that the Felcra financial officer retiree could have been a victim of a robbery gone awry.