Late Iqbal Hasnun wanted to become a religious teacher, says aunt

KULAI, May 12 (Bernama) -- A student of Sultan Azlan Shah University (USAS), Iqbal Hasnun Halimi, who died in a fiery accident with four others near the Menora Tunnel in Kuala Kangsar last night, wanted to follow in the footsteps of his parents to become a religious teacher on graduation.

His aunt Siti Norassikin Paralan said Iqbal's parents, Halimi Ali Yahid and Norlaila Paralan, were religious teachers at Sekolah Islam Hidayah in Senai here.

“Iqbal is the eldest of four siblings and was indeed the hope of the family. He was very kind and friendly with his siblings and cousins. His loss is deeply felt by the family, the last time I met him was last Saturday here," she told Bernama when met at the deceased home in Taman Impian Jaya in Senai.

Siti Norassikin said she received a phone call from Norlaila at 5.30 am informing her of the tragic news.

She said Norlaila told her that she would be leaving for Kuala Kangsar with her husband, her husband’s sibling and her three children.

"My sister asked me to help manage matters here. We are also still waiting for more news. She was still crying when I called her just now, so I couldn't bring myself to ask more," said the housewife.  

The victim’s grandmother, Painam Selamat, 82, said the last time she met Iqbal Hasnun was when his family came visiting for Hari Raya at Kampung Parit Puteri Menangis in Benut, Pontian.

"He asked for fried rice, his favourite food…," she added.

Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad donated RM1,000 each to the victims’ families, which was handed over by his political secretary Datuk Sham Mat Sahat here.

Sham said the state government expressed condolences to the families and would cover all their expenses including their accommodation at Lanai Casuarina here until affairs were completed including burial.

In the midnight accident, Iqbal Hasnun, 23, and four friends were killed when the car they were travelling in caught fire after a collision with two trailers at KM 245.2 of the North-South Expressway northbound near the Menora Tunnel.

Also deceased were Muhammad Nasrun Aidol Munir Akbar, 22, from Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor; Ahmad Naim Najmi Ahmad Hafizan, 21, of Chukai Terengganu; Muhammad Nabil Haikal Muhammad Fariz, 19, from Batu Caves, Selangor and Ahmad Akmal Ahmad Mokhlis, 20, from Parit Buntar, Perak.

-- BERNAMA