Commando’s widow lets military decide on an inquest

Nour Shafinar Harun, widow of Major Mohd Zahir Armaya. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The widow of the late commando Major Mohd Zahir Armaya, who was killed at an exercise recently, has left it to the Malaysian Armed Forces Investigation Board to decide on whether to conduct an inquest on the death of her husband.

Nour Shafinar Harun, 36, said she and her family had accepted God’s will, and would relent should the board and her husband’s family decide to have the inquest.

“I leave everything to them about what is to be done (including the inquest). This is because I understand what has happened, apart from taking risks as a soldier in any situation including during training.

“What happened was fate and I believe the incident was an accident. After all, it is not possible for his own friends to shoot him; every exercise has its risks including the use of live ammunition,” she said after Bank Muamalat presented the family with a RM15,000 donation.

Bank Muamalat chief operating officer Mohd Redza Shah Abdul Wahid said the donation was a sign of concern by the bank, over the fate of Major Mohd Zahir and his family.

The donation was also a token of appreciation for the sacrifices of soldiers, as well as to ease the burden of the family, he said.

Last Thursday, the investigation board classified the major’s death as an isolated incident and a training accident.

Mohd Zahir, of 11th Special Forces, was shot at close-range during a demonstration exercise at Lok Kawi Camp, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on Sept 2. He died while receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. - FMT