Malaysia Airlines

My first memory of flying was with Malaysia Airlines. Back in the 70s and 80s, my family and I had to fly to go back to my father's hometown Lahad Datu as there were no proper public roads connecting it to Kota Kinabalu. I remember that, for some flights, we had to stop over in Sandakan, and I remember standing outside the small airport, waiting to get back into the Fokker-27 for the next leg.

And then there were the end-of-year trips back to my mom's hometown in KL, also with MAS. Each time it was an anticipated trip. Back then, kids would each get a goodie bag, with batik-clad teddies and a colouring set, to keep them occupied. Basically, almost all our year-end school holidays involved MAS in some way.

I grew up with the airport being close, too. When the KK airport terminal was still in Tanjung Aru, our house was 10-minutes walking distance away. My primary school was next to the airport; the loud sound of planes taking off and landing didn't affect our classes anymore. When we moved to Putatan, the terminal moved to Petagas, 10 minutes drive away.

Then I moved to Kuala Lumpur, and then Kuantan. With parents and family members being either in Sabah or KL, flight trips were many, and trips to the airport were even more frequent. MAS was, and still is, the preferred airline to fly with, even after the arrival of Air Asia and Malindo Air. Perhaps it was the familiarity, perhaps it was the reputation of MAS being safe (at least in my mind), that made me choose MAS, given the chance.

I was watching the TV when the news on Flight MH2133 crashing near Tawau airport came out in 1993. It affected me deeply because that was one of the route we might take to go back to Lahad Datu, too. I was in Leicester when MH370 went missing.

I was having teh tarik in Bandar Baru Bangi with my family when the news on MH17 broke. It affected me big time. It was in Ramadhan, soon to be Syawal. I had just arrived in Malaysia a week before, to celebrate Eid with the family. I believe quite many of those in the flight were looking forward to do so, too. It was summer, there would be many on their way to their holidays, as well. But all was not meant to be.

Today, the remains of 20 of the deceased victims arrive in Malaysia, flown from Amsterdam by MAS. They were given a special service, received by the Agong himself, apart from their next-of-kin. It is the National Mourning Day today.

"To all Malaysians, welcome home". That greeting bears a whole new meaning now.

Innalillahi wainnailaihirojiun.