Muhyiddin and wife talk to Melanie and Maira Elizabeth (second left) at the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s Aidilfitri celebration. Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Karim is at right.— Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: “Life goes on for our family. We are coping well, despite the difficult situation of uncertainty,” says Maira Elizabeth Nari.
The 18-year-old daughter of chief steward Andrew Nari who was on board Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 which vanished on March 8 in the southern Indian Ocean, said the family kept itself busy with a myriad of activities so as not to think of the tragedy.
“Well, life has its ups and downs. I really don’t think about dad because I do not want to show my sadness to my mom and brother (Malcolm).
“During this time, I get closer to God for peace. Now, I am busy preparing for my final examination of my first semester,” she told reporters after attending the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s Aidilfitri celebrations here yesterday.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife, Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman.
Asked what Muhyiddin had told her and the family, Maira, who is currently pursuing a mass communication diploma course at the Segi College in Subang Jaya, said the DPM encouraged her brother, Malcolm, 13, to study hard and pursue his ambition to become a pilot.
“He also asked about my well-being, what I am doing now and told me to study hard, as well,” she said.
Meanwhile, Maira’s mother, Melanie Antonio, 45, who was also present at the event, said she was keeping herself busy by often meeting up with the families of other victims of Flight MH370, and her former cabin crew friends.
“We visit each other’s houses. We are a support system to each other. It’s one big family which shares our thoughts and how our kids are coping with the incident,” she noted. Melanie resigned as MAS stewardess after the couple had two children.
The Beijing-bound Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 239 people on board disappeared in the early hours of March 8, shortly after departing from the KL International Airport. It was to have arrived in Beijing at 6.30am on the same day.
An analysis of satellite data indicated that the plane’s last position was in the southern Indian Ocean, west of Perth, Australia. — Bernama