KUALA TERENGGANU: "We never even thought about Aidilfitri preparations; all we could think about was the situation of my brother who went missing since leaving home last Saturday," said Mohd Azis Ngah.
Mohd Azis is the younger brother of Muhammad Ngah, 67, who was found dead at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) construction site in Kampung Banggol Katong here, this morning.
The search for the elderly man finally came to an end when he was found lying near his three-wheeled motorcycle at the project site in the village, about three kilometres from his home in Kampung Baru Serada here.
According to Mohd Azis, as soon as the elderly man did not return home after leaving with his three-wheeled motorcycle around 10am last Saturday, he and his family, along with the villagers, did not stop searching through the fatigue and exhaustion of fasting.
"We didn't even think about Raya (Aidilfitri); in fact, for tomorrow's celebration, we will hold a tahlil and kenduri arwah.
"We never expected this much adversity during Raya, but as His servants, we accept what happens because everything that happens is Allah's decree," he said at the Kampung Baru Serada Islamic cemetery today.
The body of Mohamad was safely buried in the cemetery at 6 pm after prayers at the village mosque following Asar prayers.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Nor Hisyam, the third child out of five siblings, said that throughout Ramadan, his late father did not run his business, causing him to feel bored staying at home.
He said that otherwise, his father's routine every day would be to go to the Gong Pauh wholesale market here to buy goods for sale, such as fresh produce and meals he sells.
"On Saturday, I noticed my father warming up the motorcycle engine but did not expect him to go out because lately his health condition has not been good.
"My father had heart problems and diabetes, but he was still able to ride a motorcycle.
"Even last Friday, my father went to the barbershop with his motorcycle. After he didn't come home all day, we felt something was wrong with him and tirelessly continued the search," he said.
Mohd Nor Hisyam, representing his family, expressed gratitude to family members, relatives, villagers, and anyone who tirelessly tried to find his late father regardless of day and night.