KUALA LUMPUR: ‘I believe there is no need to criticise the parents (of the suspects), as no one would want their children to commit this act,’ said Norazizan Abd Razak, 46, a father of one of the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz school fire victims.
His son, Taufik Hidayat Norazizan, 16, was among the 23 people who perished in the blaze last Thursday.
When asked about the arrest of seven teenagers suspected of starting the blaze – six of whom tested positive for drugs – Norazizan said he does not blame the parents.
“If it is true that they were under the influence of drugs, the death sentence would not be able to correct the situation.
“Maybe a life-sentence in jail, and they can be taught lessons from the al-Quran (which will help them) turn over a new leaf. This is just my personal opinion, and I’m not sure how other families would react,” he said.
Norazizan said his son told him last month that he wanted to change schools after studying at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz for five years.
“He told me that he wanted to move to another place just for a change, as he had been there for too long.
“I had no issues with that, but I advised him to complete this year’s (term) but sadly, his death came before it,” he said.
Norazizan was met at the Raudhatul Sakinah Muslim Cemetery, Gombak.
He said Taufik, the third child among five siblings, was a very obedient son.
“I last saw him on Tuesday last week, at Taman Tasik Dato' Keramat, which is right behind the tahfiz school. We were both there coincidently, since the tahfiz students are only allowed to go there on Wednesdays.
“I live near the school, so when I saw him, I bought some drinks and had a conversation with him. He seemed very normal and nothing was odd in his behaviour,” he said.
Norazizan accepts the loss of his son as the will of God. He said he believes that every test given by Allah is cause of only temporary pain and sadness.
At the same time, he thanked all Malaysians for their prayers and expressions of condolence since the occurrence of the incident.
Translated from Harian Metro