SHAH ALAM: When asked what their ambitions are, children usually say they want to be a doctor, or famous, or a superhero, when they grow up.
But 4-year-old Abderrahman Hakimi took everyone by surprise when he said: “I want to marry mama” in front of a large audience on Wednesday.
Abderrahman is the only child of Flight MH17’s first officer Ahmad Hakimi Hanapi and Sharifah Asma'a Syed Alwi Al Junied.
The young boy and his mother were attendees of a function on Nov 1 in Kuala Lumpur, which saw RM1.6 million from the Flagbearer Education Association fund handed out to 40 children of 23 cabin crew members of Malaysia Airlines flights MH370 and MH17, which met with tragedy in 2014.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also the patron of the association, was present at the event, along with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, to present the mock cheques.
Abderrahman became the talk among netizens when a photograph of him, running across the stage to hug Hishammuddin, was posted on H20 Comms’ Twitter page, along with other images of the function.
When contacted, Sharifah, 32, said when Abderrahman was sitting on Hishammuddin’s lap, he was asked the question about his aspiration – and everyone laughed upon hearing his reply.
She said Hishammuddin then jokingly responded with: “You have got to invite me to your wedding then!”
Sharifah described Abderrahman as a very friendly and lovable boy, and one who looks up to a male figure.
“I guess the fact that (Hishammuddin allowed him to sit on his) lap and was genuinely warm and joking around with him, made Abderrahman feel safe enough to open up.
“That is why when Hishammuddin extended his arms to Abderrahman (on stage during the mock cheque presentation), he was more than happy to run towards him and hug him. That is Abderrahman, a very happy, loving child,” she said.
What does this cheerful young boy want to be when he is older? Sharifah said: “Aside from wanting to marry his mama? Nothing, really. He is happy to explore and learn things.
“I would talk to him about his dad's profession, and if I ask him ‘would you want to be a pilot?’ He would say yes! But he would not say it (when not asked). I guess he is too young to decide, as he is very much still exploring and learning.”
She further shared that Abderrahman gets annoyed if anyone tries to shorten his name.
“He also loves his school, where he constantly talks about what he does. He likes me to read books to him and he likes messy play, as all kids do,” Sharifah told the New Straits Times today.
On the cheque worth RM40,000, for Abderrahman, Sharifah said it will help tremendously with his education.
“My late husband always talked about getting a good education for Abderrahman. He believed in the importance of it. He once said that he was glad that he was earning well, so he could afford a good education for his son.
“Well, that didn’t seem to last long. He died when Abderrahman was eight months old, and there went our breadwinner. But I want my late husband to know that his son is in good hands.
“I work really hard to provide him a good life. I want him to have the same life he would have if his dad were alive,” she said.
Sharifah is attached with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and also runs the Boost Juice Bar in Cyberjaya.
A Masters degree holder, she is currently pursuing a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development certification, a professional British certification for Human Resource personnel.
She said despite having to juggle two jobs while pursuing her studies, it is all worth it.
Sharifah said the cheque presentation event has also given her the extra strength and assurance that people still care about their wellbeing and about her son’s education.
“He is not forgotten. It just motivates me to want to work harder and give more to him, and it is a trust that is given to me to ensure that my son will get the education he deserves.
“I want his father to be proud. He died in the line of duty, but he did not die in vain,” she added.
The RM1.6 million fund presented during the event was an initiative by four private companies, namely Eu Yan Sang, Genting Malaysia Berhad, Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Berhad and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, a Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was blown out of the sky over conflict-wracked east Ukraine on July 17, 2014 by a Buk missile system, killing all 298 passengers and crew onboard.
Flight MH370, also a Boeing 777, disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board. It is a tragedy that remains one of the world’s greatest unsolved aviation mysteries.