Family Is Heartbroken But Accepts Death Of Boy Who Choked On Gummy Candy

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Hambiah Kassim, 75, the grandmother of the 10-year-old boy who died after choking on a gummy candy, said that although the family is heartbroken by the incident, they have accepted his death as fate.

Hambiah said the incident undoubtedly leaves a profound impact on her daughter, Nuraini Mohamad Isa, 37, and son-in-law, Mohamad Fakhruddin Mohamad Fikri, 35, as they had waited four years for Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz, their first child.

"We fully surrender to Allah… He was very close to me as he often stayed at my house in Tebengau, Alor Setar, Kedah, during school holidays," she told reporters at the Forensic Medicine Department of Penang Hospital (HPP) today.

She said the last time she saw Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz was during the recent school holidays when he stayed with her for two weeks before returning to his parents' home in Sungai Dua, Butterworth, on Feb 15.

"He was affectionate and close to me...I noticed some changes in him, speaking less and was quieter than usual… Perhaps he wanted to leave me with that memory," said the grandmother of 11 grandchildren.

Holding back tears several times, Hambiah said that as soon as she was informed of the incident, she rushed to HPP and visited her grandson in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) every day.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Fakhruddin, when met at the Forensic Medicine Department of HPP, said that they accept the fate that has been written for them but find solace in knowing that their eldest son is no longer in pain.

"My son left the world peacefully, and he looked as if he were just sleeping. Wait for ibu and baba in heaven, Fahmi," he said, adding that Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz took his final breath after his mother recited the syahadah in his ear.

Earlier, the postmortem on Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz's body, which began at 9 am, was completed by noon before he was bathed and shrouded there.

The remains of the Year Four pupil were transported in a hearse, accompanied by his parents, to his grandmother's house in Permatang Binjai, Penaga, before being laid to rest after Friday prayers.

Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz, who was in critical condition after allegedly choking on a gummy candy last Tuesday, passed away while receiving treatment at the PICU at around 11 pm last night.

The Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Dua, Butterworth pupil, was believed to have bought the candy outside the school before going to his 2.30 pm Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) class.

-- BERNAMA