Andrew (second right) and a colleague attired in native costumes of Sarawak.
Augustine Liom
Andrew Nari
SIBU: Longhouse folks are mulling to conduct an Iban customary ceremony for Andrew Nari, chief steward on flight MH370, if it is confirmed he perished in the plane that plunged into the South Indian Ocean.
Andrew’s uncle from his mother’s side, Augustine Liom said in an interview yesterday afternoon that they would continue praying for Sibu boy Andrew and the rest of the people onboard Beijing-bound Boeing 777 from Kuala Lumpur.
Augustine, a lawyer, said they would leave this proposal to Andrew’s mother Catherine Tamoh after her returns from Kuala Lumpur.
On hearing news of missing flight MH370, Catherine left on March 8 for the national capital where she has been waiting for news from Putrajaya concerning Andrew.
He said Catherine, as longhouse chieftain in Bukit Aup of a 500-people community, would decide with her people on what to do next.
“The fate of flight MH370 pains the longhouse folks. The people miss Andrew dearly, for the 49-year-old is affectionate.”
Augustine recalled that whenever longhouse folks went to Kuala Lumpur, Andrew would find time to care and entertain them.
“Andrew loves his folks. Although he has left home a long time ago, he comes back twice yearly during Gawai and Christmas to be with them.”
Andrew’s parents were teachers which was why he was a well-behaved boy liked by all.
Brought up in the Roman Catholic faith, Andrew followed his parents to coastal town Dalat where his father worked.
There he had his primary school education and grew up with the church as his parents would take him there to worship.
Augustine said Andrew followed him to Kuching to study in Green Road Secondary School.
After completing Form 5, Andrew returned to his longhouse in Bukit Aup for some years.
Andrew worked as a tourist guide before entering St Peter’s Seminary for two years in his desire to become a Catholic priest, but after two years with Kuching seminary, he opted to become an air steward with MAS in 1989.
The uncle said the steward did well in the airline.
“Because he is fluent in English, Andrew has been serving international routes. He always flies to Western destinations to cities like Los Angeles and London.
“As far as I know, he seldom flies the Eastern routes to Beijing, Korea and Japan. We fear he might meet his fate in one of these Eastern routes on March 8.”
Andrew’s wife is a former stewardess.
She resigned after the couple had two children – Malcom Nari and Maira Elizabeth Nari.
Malcom is in Form 2 and Maira has completed Form 5.