KUCHING - The dream of Mariyam Sakinah Ahmad's parents to see her fulfilling her childhood ambition of becoming a film director upon graduating from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) was dashed when she died in a road accident in New Zealand yesterday.
Her father, Ahmad Mustapha, 51, who is Sarawak TM retail assistant general manager, said today he and his wife, Adijah Marian, 46, were deeply saddened to hear the news of their daughter's death while on a 10-day study trip to several universities in New Zealand and to complete a photography project there.
"She promised to be a very good student. The family was very proud of her but now we will only remember her trademark laughter and sweet smiles," he said when met at his residence at Kampung Pinang Jawa, Petra Jaya here.
Mariyam Sakinah, 21, a second year broadcasting student, and Shafiee Ahmad, 51, the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs at the Communications and Media Studies Faculty, were killed in the accident while four others were reported injured.
Ahmad said Mariyam had informed that she would return to Kuching on Friday to celebrate the Hari Raya Haji together with her family as well as for the semester break, but now her presence would be greatly missed as family members were still shocked over her sudden demise.
The authorities explained that it would take some time to transport the bodies of both victims from Auckland to Wellington to be flown back to Malaysia, he said.
Mariyam's remains were expected to arrive at the Kuching International Aurport by Saturday morning at the latest, he said.
"She was really looking forward to the trip and I did not object because it was a study tour that would enhance her knowledge," he said.