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PUCHONG (March 27): The untimely passing of Private Muhammad Muqriz Aseri has left a void in the hearts of his family, especially his mother, Nor Azlina Zambri, who remembers his deep passion for the military.
The 21-year-old soldier, serving with the 20th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (20 RAMD) at Kem Sri Miri in Sarawak, died on Monday due to blunt force trauma to the chest, as confirmed by the Malaysian Army (TDM).
A Childhood Dream Fulfilled
Nor Azlina, 45, shared that her son’s dream of joining the army came true in December 2023 after two determined attempts. As the second of four siblings, Muhammad Muqriz was always drawn to the discipline and camaraderie of military life.
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“Angah (Muhammad Muqriz) once joked about marrying early because he didn’t want to live alone in the camp’s quarters for bachelors. When we asked him about it, he just laughed and said it was nothing serious,” she fondly recalled from her home in Taman Puchong Perdana.
A Dedicated Soldier with No Complaints
Despite serving for only 10 months, Muhammad Muqriz never voiced any grievances about military life. His mother emphasized that he had no troubling experiences during his service with 20 RAMD.
“He only struggled in his first week after being stationed in Sarawak and briefly mentioned wanting to leave. But we encouraged him, and soon he reassured us that everything was fine,” she said.
Final Moments with Family
Nor Azlina’s last memory of her son was his return home for a 10-day break, during which he spent time fasting with his loved ones. His sudden passing has devastated the family, but they have entrusted the investigation to the police and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), hoping such tragedies can be prevented in the future.
Meanwhile, his father, Aseri Ismail, 49, expressed no regrets about his son’s military service, acknowledging his pride in Muhammad Muqriz’s contribution to the nation.
The young soldier’s body was flown back to Kuala Lumpur and laid to rest at the Al-Islamiah Mosque Cemetery in Petaling Jaya at 11.55pm on Tuesday. — Bernama