FAMILY OF MISSING ELDERLY MAN INCREASINGLY ANXIOUS AS SEARCH ENTERS THIRD WEEK

BALING, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The family of Sabari Baharom, 62, who has been missing since Sept 3, is becoming increasingly anxious as there have been no developments in the case, now entering its third week.

His eldest daughter, Suraiya Izzaty Sabari, 29, said that Sabari is suspected of being missing after he failed to respond to calls on Sept 4, and efforts to locate him have thus far been unsuccessful.

"Our family hopes that nothing bad has happened to our father. We wish that whoever is involved will return him to us safely,” she said when met today by reporters at her father's home in Kampung Mengkuang Tengah, Kuala Pegang.

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"My father has no enemies, and he usually informs us if he has any financial problems or other issues." 

She said that initially they thought he might have visited a friend or relative or gone abroad with a close friend, but all those assumptions have turned out to be incorrect.

"My father has gone to a neighbouring country with one of his close friends before for food but then returned home, however when asked, his friend said that they had not gone anywhere this time,” she said.

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"A police report was filed on Sept 7 to report his disappearance. The following day, we (the children) were called to the police station to provide our statements."

Suraiya Izzaty said that on Sept 12, the police issued a missing persons alert, but there were no developments until the discovery of a burnt car in the Pulau Belantik area of Sik.

"We also received information about a large withdrawal from one of my father's bank accounts, as he had saved that money specifically for performing the Hajj.” she said.

"On Sept 20, we were informed that the burnt car, a Proton Waja, belonged to my father."

Suraiya Izzaty also said her father, a former finance officer, was very meticulous regarding his financial matters.

"After retiring, his routine usually involved attending congregational prayers at the mosque, having breakfast with fellow congregants at a café and visiting his garden. He is not one to indulge in luxury; he lives a simple life," she added.

"We maintain regular contact, but when our father suddenly went missing, my siblings and I became anxious, not knowing what had happened or where he might be. We just hope he returns home safely."

It was reported that Sabari is believed to have left his home on the night of Sept 3, driving a gold Proton Waja, and has not returned since.

-- BERNAMA