GEORGE TOWN: Indon Hussin had no idea that her meeting with her son, Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli, on Monday, would be their final encounter.
In her 60s, Indon, along with her husband Ramli Abd Hamid, also in his 60s, visited Firdaus' house in Manjung, Perak, to assist with cleaning, as they often did since they had the keys.
"We were just at his house in Manjung on Monday. He happened to return, and we met. He came alone," Indon shared.
Firdaus, a commander in the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), was stationed in Sabah, but had returned home briefly.
His unexpected visit brought moments of joy for his family, as they met during the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
"He had always dreamed of flying a fighter jet, but due to his small build, he joined the RMN instead. He was also affectionately known among his colleagues as 'Tuan Kecik'," Indon reminisced.
Firdaus' dedication and professionalism earned him respect and admiration from his peers, evident from the fond memories shared by his colleagues.
Tragically, Firdaus was among the 10 individuals killed in a mid-air collision involving two helicopters at the RMN base in Lumut. He was the commanding officer of the navy's 503 Squadron.
As the nation mourns this tragedy, heart-wrenching tributes have flooded social media platforms.
One poignant post shared a final interview of Firdaus, 44, conducted by Buletin TV3 for its exclusive Raya coverage.
The interview, aired on April 12, captured Firdaus' dedication to his duty, as he gave the crew a tour of the naval base in Sabah before piloting the helicopter.
As the family grapples with the sudden loss of their beloved son and brother, their grief is shared by the entire nation, mourning the loss of a dedicated naval officer and role model.
