JOHOR BARU: The family of Shakirin Mohammad, 28, is devastated by his tragic death after his body was discovered in the boot of a Proton Waja abandoned in bushes along Km26 of Jalan Jemaluang-Kahang, Mersing, yesterday.
"We are heartbroken and cannot accept his passing in this manner. We want justice for him," said his sister, Norashikin Mohammad, 26.
Norashikin recounted that the last time her brother, a Scania truck driver, was seen was on Wednesday when he was washing the car at their family home in Felda Pasak, Kota Tinggi. He left the house around 5pm in the Proton Waja but did not inform anyone where he was going and never returned.
"My father called me that night, asking me to contact my brother because it was late, and he still had not come home," she said when met at the Forensics Department of Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) today.
Norashikin, who resides in Pasir Gudang, said her eldest brother was previously married, but divorced about a year ago and had no children. The family received news of Shakirin's body being found yesterday afternoon and was instructed to visit the Forensics Department at HSA this morning.
"Police told us that my brother was likely murdered elsewhere, possibly in Johor Baru, before being taken to Mersing. We know my brother didn't have enemies, but his friend mentioned that he had been threatened by the suspect, who is believed to be the ex-husband of a woman my brother was dating. As far as we know, the woman was divorced, so we didn't mind if they planned to marry. But the police informed us that the couple had only finalised their divorce this month," she said.
Despite their pain, Norashikin said the family feels relieved knowing that the suspect has been apprehended.
Meanwhile, Shakirin's father, Mohammad Abu Bakar, 61, said he would miss his eldest son dearly, as Shakirin was the only child living with him and his wife.
"Now, it's just my wife and me at home. I only have four children. In 2022, my second child passed away due to illness. Now, my eldest has gone too. I only have two children left," he said, wiping away tears.
Mohammad shared that he always reminded his son to care for himself before leaving for work. However, he did not expect Wednesday to be the last time he saw him.
"If he were taking the truck, he would always tell me where he was going, and I would remind him to be careful. But on Wednesday, he suddenly left in that car. It's his car, but he rarely drove it because he gave it to me to use. That day, he left without saying where he was going," he said.
The remains of Shakirin were brought back to Felda Pasak, Kota Tinggi, for burial at the Felda Pasak Muslim Cemetery after a post-mortem at HSA was completed this afternoon.