ALOR STAR: Civil Defence Force member Khashida Ismail, 23, never expected that her father's recent generous behaviour foreshadowed his impending death.
Khashida, who sells banana fritters to earn additional income, said her father had been giving away "pisang goreng" to patrons regularly in recent days.
Today she finally understood that her father was simply engaging in as many benevolent acts as possible before his passing.
"Over the past few days, my late father kept offering treats to customers who came to buy banana fritters.
"Our family was uncomfortable because he wasn't just treating one or two people but many... But we never thought it was a sign he would leave us," she said when contacted today.
Khashida's father, Ismail Mat, 79, and her three-year-old daughter Arissa Azim were involved in an accident in Jalan Kuala Nerang, near Kampung Sungai Durian in Pokok Sena earlier today.
In the 9am incident, Ismail, who sustained severe injuries, died at the scene, while Arissa was rushed to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.
Khashida added that her late father usually took Arissa for breakfast at a nearby shop, but today, he decided to have a "roti canai" across the street instead.
"He died at the scene, while my child is being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for head injuries," she said.
Khashida recounted how she learnt about the incident from her mother.
"A villager came to our house to inform about the accident. I was shocked and rushed to the scene.
"I went to comfort my child and accompanied her to the hospital by car," she added.
She said Arissa is waiting for specialists to examine her and is still unconscious while her father was laid to rest in Sungai Petani this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Kota Setar district police chief Assistant Commissioner Siti Nor Salawati Saad said that the accident occurred when a car heading towards Alor Star from Kuala Nerang collided with the victim's motorcycle, causing both vehicles to veer off the road.
"The car driver, a 28-year-old man, who sustained minor injuries, is receiving treatment in the same hospital.
She said that the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
"We are urging witnesses to come forward to assist police in the investigation," she added.