Grieving mother haunted by memories of her three children killed in Pontian accident

Julaiha Munaji, 44 (center), pours water over the graves of her three children—Nor Daniel Aiman ​​Norlizan, 18, Nor Daniel Fikri Norlizan, 11, and Puteri Naufa Raisha Norlizan, 8—at the Parit Haji Siraj Muslim Cemetery on October 8, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 10 Oct 2026 6:42 PM MYT

PONTIAN, Oct 10 — The mother of the three siblings who tragically died in an accident at Kampung Parit Haji Siraj, Kayu Ara Pasong here, admits that she still finds it difficult to look at her children’s clothes and school bags as they serve as painful reminders of them.

Julaiha Munaji, 44, said the simultaneous loss of Nor Daniel Aiman Norlizan, 18, Nor Daniel Fikri Norlizan, 11, and Puteri Naufa Raisha Norlizan, 8, is the heaviest trial she and her family have ever faced.

She shared that the loss of her youngest child, Puteri Naufa, is felt the most because the only daughter among her six children was exceptionally close to her.

“I have six children, five boys and one girl. For years, my husband and I prayed for a daughter, but I was only blessed to have her with me for eight years.

“Even though I lost her two days ago, I accept it with a quiet heart and am grateful for the chance to raise her, even if it was only for a short time,” she told Bernama when met at her home in Kampung Parit Haji Siraj today.

Julaiha said among the things she misses the most is her daily routine of preparing breakfast and packed meals for her children before starting the day.

She added that she can still vividly picture the playful antics of her three children in the yard every evening, memories that are hard to forget.

“It will probably take time for me to get used to this loss. Losing even one child is heavy enough, but losing three all at once is unbearable,” she said.

Last Thursday, the three siblings died after the motorcycle they were riding collided with a lorry on Jalan Parit Haji Sirat, Kayu Ara Pasong at around 7:20 am, just after returning from Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit Sapran.

At the time, Nor Daniel Aiman was on his way back after taking his two younger siblings to the school to inform them that classes were canceled due to deteriorating air quality caused by haze.

Pontian District Police Chief Supt Hadzrat Hussein Moin Hussain reported that two of the pillion riders died at the scene, while the motorcycle rider passed away while on the way to Pontian Hospital.

All schools in Johor were closed last Thursday and Friday due to the declining air quality, affecting more than 1,000 schools and approximately 600,000 students. — Bernama