IKM Student Killed In Tragic Accident, Family Reunion Unfulfilled

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- A Kota Kinabalu MARA Skills Institute (IKM) student’s plan to return home for a family steamboat gathering ended tragically when he was killed in an accident along Jalan Gayang, Tuaran, yesterday.

Mohamad Zuhaikal Mohd Zaidy, 20, who died in the crash that also claimed the lives of four of his friends, had expressed his wish to his family in Tawau during a video call on Sept 1, according to his older brother Mohamad Zuhairy Mohd Zaidy, 28.

Mohamad Zuhairy said Mohamad Zuhaikal, the second of six children, was also the family’s hope for a better future.

"Our family had expectations for him. He had several plans for after completing his studies at IKM, including an intention to be self-employed and start a business with my aunt," he said when met at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Forensic Department here today.

Mohamad Zuhairy said his brother was a bright student who had once represented IKM in the WorldSkills Malaysia competition, and also a considerate sibling.

Sadan Sabri, 21, an IKM Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology student and friend of Mohamad Zuhaikal and Harianto Anuar, 20, who was also killed in the crash, described them as ‘friends made in heaven’.

He said that last Monday, after returning from an outing, he saw Mohamad Zuhaikal making a promise to Harianto to remain friends even after completing their studies at IKM, adding that Mohamad Zuhaikal was also helpful, always willing to share his knowledge with others.

Erfan Hermanto Ismanto, 23, said he and other friends arrived at a campsite in Kota Belud on Thursday, and all the victims were supposed to join them yesterday.

He said that Mohamad Zuhaikal will be greatly missed as he was a cheerful person who enjoyed entertaining his classmates.

The 2.09 pm crash claimed the lives of the five male students when the multi-purpose vehicle they were in collided with a trailer lorry.

--BERNAMA