"This is a blessing for my family because the prayers of our friends and family for him (Amirul) and the other crew members to be safe are answered...I cannot say anything...so grateful to Allah," said Zabarudin Zakaria, 49, father of MT Orkim Harmony crew member, Amirul Azim Zabarudin, 21.
He said he was speechless and could only hug his eldest son as soon as they met in Kuantan at 6 pm yesterday.
"When we met, he told us a little about the incident, but I had already told my wife who had come along not to ask too many questions because I did not want him to be stressed.
"That first meeting, we only asked how he was and broke fast with him before we returned to Melaka," he told reporters when met at his house here yesterday.
He said his son seemed a little traumatised by the incident.
Zabarudin said he had rushed to Kuantan with his wife and two other family members, and arrived at 11 am yesterday, but could only meet his son at about 6 pm.
READ:
Orkim Harmony: MMEA begins process to extradite suspected
'Pirates' held by Vietnam speak Indonesian: state media
Hard to detect small boats, Navy chief explains how hijackers got away
He said Amirul who was a crew member in the maintenance division was now still in Kuantan to help in further investigations into the incident.
"Our family awaits his return, but if he wants to continue working, we will not force him because he is still 'on duty'," he said.
Zabarudin said he believed Amirul was not affected by the incident as he was strong-willed and committed to his three-year career.
He also expressed his thanks to the government and all the agencies involved in the search-and-rescue mission for the MT Orkim Harmony tanker on which his son was, together with 21 other crew.
The tanker which was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of RON95 petrol worth RM21 million was reported missing at 8.57 pm on June 11 while en route from Melaka to Kuantan Port, Pahang.
MT Orkim Harmony arrived safely at Kuantan Port at 7.30 am yesterday.
READ:
Orkim Harmony: Eight detained confirmed as hijackers
Orkim Harmony: Where things stand
Vietnamese authorities detain Mt Orkim Harmony suspects
Bernama
Sun Jun 21 2015
ZABARUDIN:This is a blessing for my family because the prayers of our friends and family for him (Amirul) and the other crew members to be safe are answered...I cannot say anything...so grateful to Allah. - Photo Bernama
Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.
Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.
Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.
185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.
IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.
Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.
![[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41740112820_KhazarUniversity.jpg "[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide")
[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide
For Azerbaijanis, the Khojaly genocide is more than a historical event - it is a collective trauma that shapes their identity and worldview.
Israeli military says body released by Hamas is not of a hostage
Two bodies were identified as infants, but a third, believed to be their mother, Shiri, didn't match any hostage and remains unidentified.
Key takeaways from Trump-Putin talks: Ukraine, energy, NATO, sanctions
Here's what is known so far about what was discussed.
![[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/41726025526_UnitedNations.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights")
[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights
For as long as rights are understood on Occidental terms, problems would inevitably remain. What is needed is an appreciation of diversity.
Argentina court clears 3 accused in singer Liam Payne's death
The court upheld the pre-trial detention of a hotel employee and a restaurant waiter held since last month.
Spanish ex-soccer boss Rubiales sentenced to pay fine over kiss without consent
Court also acquits Luis Rubiales' three co-defendants accused of attempting to coerce Jenni Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.
King’s health significantly improved after treatment - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he had the opportunity to seek an audience with the King twice during his official visit to Bahrain.
Why Trump wants the US Department of Education shut down
The vast majority of US children attend the country's free public schools, which are a big employer and economic engine.
How did a jet flip upside down on a Toronto runway and everyone survive?
Here is what we know about this accident and similar crashes.
TIMELINE - Trump's remarks on plan to take over Gaza, displace Palestinians
The plan has been condemned globally, with Palestinians, Arab nations and rights experts saying it was tantamount to "ethnic cleansing."
'No to drugs' signboards mooted as condition for concert permit
Datuk Hussein Omar Khan says it was part of their recommendations as efforts to curb drug taking at entertainment events.