Sharlinie's family seeks peace, hope in Dungun

PETALING JAYA: Although they now call Dungun, Terengganu, their home, Sharlinie Mohd Nashar's family has not given up hope of finding her.

A visit yesterday to the home of the 5-year-old girl, who has been missing since January, to find out how the family was coping proved to be futile as their neighbours in Taman Medan here said the family had moved to Terengganu on Sunday.

Contacted later by telephone, Sharlinie's father, Mohd Nashar Mat Hussain, 29, said the decision to move was not to forget the incident but instead for the family to seek peace and start a new life.

"Ramadan this year will be quiet without Sharlinie.

"That's why we decided to move and celebrate Ramadan in a village atmosphere that is peaceful and calm," he said.

The pressures of the higher cost of living in the city was also a reason why the family decided to move, he said, adding that he was still looking for a job to support his family.

He said memories of Sharlinie's antics when she followed him to the Ramadan bazaar still lingered in his mind.

"Her mother is still sad and both her sisters often ask 'when is Nini coming home ... we can celebrate Hari Raya together'.

"It breaks my heart."

Mohd Nashar said the family now lived at his father's house and Sharlinie's sisters, Nurul Amirah, 11 and Sharliena, 8, would begin studying at a new school in Dungun tomorrow.

"Our move may be temporary. We have not decided yet whether or not we want to stay here for good or return to Kuala Lumpur."

Sharlinie's mother, Suraya Ahmad, 28, said that she had never lost faith that her daughter would one day be found.

"During this month of Ramadan, we hope that Sharlinie will return.

"I hope that whoever took my daughter will give her back to us so that we can celebrate Hari Raya with Nini," she said.

Sharlinie was reported missing around 11.30am on Jan 9 while playing with her sister at a playground located 200 metres from their house in Taman Medan. -- Bernama