Al Fatihah Major Mohd Zahir Armaya

MM Online:

More than 1,000 pay last respects to late commando officer

Major Mohd Zahir Armaya, the 36-year-old son of veteran Malaysian comedian and actor, died after being accidentally hit by a bullet during a ‘live’ demonstration at the Lok Kawi army camp

Picture courtesy of the Malaysian Armed Forces

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 ― Sadness filled the air when the body of commando officer Major Mohd Zahir Armaya arrived at the Wardieburn Camp mosque in Jalan Genting Klang, Setapak here for funeral prayers early today.

More than 1,000 people including family members, close friends and members of the press were waiting there to pay their last respects when the body arrived at 1.48am.

Major Mohd Zahir, 36, died in a shooting demonstration held in conjunction with the launching of the 5th Infantry Division and 13th Infantry Brigade at the Lok Kawi army camp in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, yesterday morning.

Among the dignitaries present at the mosque to pay their last respects were Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Army Chief Jen Datuk Seri Ahmad Hasbullah Ahmad Nawawi, Navy Chief Laksamana Datuk Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, senior private secretary to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Kol (B) Nazim Mohd Alim, and Major Mohd Zahir’s father AR Badul and other family members.

It's always sad when a young man has passed away, more so when the death had been caused by 'friendly fire'.

In a military unit, the personnel would usually be very closed, let alone an elite unit as the Pasukan Gerak-Khas, so the death of a comrade would be felt painfully and for quite some time.

This has NOT been the first time military or police personnel had perished needlessly by such 'friendly fire'. Usually, failures to follow procedures had been the cause.

Boards of Inquiry after Boards of Inquiry, and Court Martial after Court Martial, but alas, mark my word, such tragedies will happen again and again - and in all armed forces and police forces around the world. For men are imperfect mortals prone to errors (known as human errors). All we can do is to set the best possible safety procedures, instil discipline in handling arms, audit and improve the safe handling, and make the men follow the procedures. But errors lurk, always.

Al Fatihah Major Mohd Zahir Armaya, go to the waiting arms of Allah swt.