KUCHING: In a blink of an eye, Alia Amalina Md Noor's world literally fell apart on April 23 this year.
The Petronas engineer was celebrating with her colleagues at the contractor's yard in Pasir Gudang, Johor for having achieved 3.5 million safe man-hours without a single lost-time injury for the Kasawari carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, when she received a call from the navy informing her that her naval aviator husband was killed in an air mishap.
"When I received the news, I was in the midst of a celebration," she said recalling the day when the nation was sent into shock as they watched the video of two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopters colliding in mid-air over Lumut before going into a death spiral to the ground.
The helicopters were rehearsing the flypast for the RMN's 90th anniversary celebration.
Ten people, including Alia's husband, Lt Commander Wan Rezaudeen Kamal Zainal Abidin, who was among the seven on board on the Leonardo (AgustaWestland before rebranding) AW139 and three on the Airbus (Eurocopter before rebranding) Fennec – died in the mishap.
While it was a heart-wrenching tragedy for the nation, for Alia the loss of the love of her life cuts deep.
"Losing someone unexpectedly is an unbearable pain that cuts deeper than anything else."
Alia had been with Wan Rezaudeen for 22 years. They started going out together at 15 while still in school.
Wan Rezaudeen was a dedicated officer, and a loving partner and father, with an infectious smile, she said.
Their jobs kept them apart with him in Sabah as part of 503 Squadron, and Alia in Johor.
"He always reminded me to be patient with him as his duty to the country came before family."
He had promised me: 'I'll drive our son to school, we'll go on fun adventures, camping, swim in rivers, and make trips to the theme park when I retire'.
"All these will not be happening now," she said.
Wan Rezaudeen decided to make the "brave leap" to become a naval aviator after 11 years in service.
Alia said she was not surprised as her husband had an adventurous spirit and was on a constant quest for self-improvement.
He signed up for the helicopter pilot training course at Kolej Tentera Udara in Alor Star.
Upon completing his flight training, Rezaudeen was first posted to 502 Squadron, to fly the Fennec helicopter – a lightweight, multipurpose military helicopter.
"My husband often worked long hours, on weekends, and public holidays, even if it meant missing important family moments like birthdays and anniversaries. When he was on a classified mission, he would simply text me to pray for his safe return."
Throughout his career, Wan Rezaudeen received several honours, including the Excellent Service Award in 2018 and the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara (PKN) for his role in Op Daulat in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
He was also honoured with the Pingat Perkhidmatan Setia (PPS) and the Pingat Perkhidmatan Am (PPA), reflecting his dedication and significant contributions to national security and public service.
Tragically, Alia is not only grieving her husband but also juggling the role of a single mother to her young son, four-year-old Wan Alyan Riz.
"My son is the light that keeps me going."
Alia recalled the last message she received from Wan Rezaudeen which read : "Take care of our son."
As she picks up the pieces, Alia said that the strength she built after losing her father was what she needed to cope with Wan Rezaudeen's death.
Her indomitable spirit, forged by the challenges she faced as a teenager looking after her ailing father, has seen her excel in a male-dominated field as a structural engineer specialising in offshore structures.
She began her journey at Petronas in September 2015, and over the past nine years, she has taken on various roles, moving from her work at the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) to her current role as a Construction Engineer for the Kasawari Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project.
The Kasawari CCS project, located offshore Sarawak, is one of the world's largest carbon capture projects. It is a key part of Petronas' decarbonisation efforts, with the capacity to capture up 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually.
Her role in this innovative project involves overseeing a range of critical tasks, from coordinating on-site activities to ensuring that the highest safety and environmental standards are met.
"My role in this CCS project involves collaborating with diverse teams to ensure that the project progresses smoothly while adhering to strict timelines and quality benchmarks," she said.
Her leadership has been critical in sustaining the momentum of the project despite the painful personal loss.
Alia draws strength from her late husband's memory, ensuring that his dreams live on through her work.
"Through everything I do, I carry his spirit with me," she said, embodying the resilience, leadership, and purpose that have come to define her journey.