BATU CAVES: Among the final words the late Datuk Seri Johari Harun uttered to his son when they last spoke was “Don’t forget your prayers”.
Muhammad Hafiz Naqiuddin, 22, took the words of advice to heart, leading the prayers at the Ar-Rahimiah mosque in Klang before his father’s body was taken to the Raudhatul Sakinah cemetery.
Family members of the former Pelangai assemblyman and Pahang exco member were seen trying to control their emotions during the burial.
Speaking briefly to reporters after the funeral, Muhammad Hafiz said he cherished all 22 years he had with his father.
“All of my years with him were ‘moments’. The good and the bad.
“All I can ask for is for all Malaysians to pray for my late father,” he said yesterday.
Muhammad Hafiz also said his father was approachable and valued charity.
He said his family was appreciative that his father could be buried a day earlier than scheduled.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he had lost a good friend.
“I actually had plans to go to Langkawi yesterday (Saturday), and we were supposed to have coffee and catch up there.
“On a personal level, he had a polite demeanour and never raised his voice. The country has lost a great leader,” he said.
Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said he was grateful for the prompt work by the authorities which allowed the bodies of all the victims of the air crash to be released a day earlier.
“I thank all parties, especially the hospital and forensic departments, for working hard and quickly, which allowed all of us to bury all remaining victims today (yesterday).
“As promised by the state government, we will provide assistance to the victims and we have already sent early assistance to the families involved.
“This is a huge loss, especially to the people of Pahang as he (Johari) was a committed and hardworking man.
“Every week when we met, he would discuss the issues faced by his constituents and the portfolio that he held. This is a fate that we could not avoid but it is still a big loss to us in Pahang,” he said.
At 11.45am, the casket carrying the remains of the late assemblyman arrived at the cemetery.
Also present were Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
Johari was buried at 12.15pm.
On Thursday, a Beechcraft 390 aircraft operated by Jet Valet crashed in Shah Alam.
The crash occurred at 2.50pm after the aircraft was cleared to land at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.
It was flying from Langkawi.
It crashed after losing contact with the Subang control tower, killing all eight onboard along with two road users.
The other victims were pilots Shahrul Kamal Roslan and Heikal Aras Abdul Azim, and passengers Kharil Azwan Jamaludin, Shaharul Amir Omar, Mohamad Naim Fawwaz Mohamed Muaidi, Muhammad Taufiq Mohd Zaki and Idris Abdol Talib @ Ramali.
The road users killed were food delivery rider Muhamad Hafiz and ehailing driver Sharipuddin Shaari.
