Al Fatihah for Uncle Shah

Uncle Shah (left) died early today. My Mama took this photo when he attended Mama's work's 20th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner (June 2009).

Mama has a habit of watching the early morning news on TV before she goes to work everyday. One piece of news that was repeated by all the stations was the death of a man after a vicious attack in the wee hours of the morning. Anyway, when the suburb was mentioned, Mama said, "A killing in Leichhardt? Hmmm...mafia?" Leichhardt is the Italian enclave of Sydney, thus her assumption that it was some mafioso affairs.

Anyway, as the day unfolded, Mama received a telephone call from Aunty H telling the demise of the Malaysian Consul-General's driver by the name of Mohd Shah Saemin. There's going to be a tahlil and prayers for him at the Malaysia Hall tonight. Although the deceased has become an Australian citizen, his family has requested for his body to be sent back to his hometown in Melaka.

I have never met Uncle Shah but my Mama has. "He was a soft spoken and nice man," Mama said. "Someone that any mother might consider as a future son-in-law," she continued.

Last they met was when he attended Mama's workplace's fundraising dinner. He was the only bachelor at the table and everyone was happily trying to matchmake him with Mama's colleagues, Aunty J and Aunty M.

This is what's been reported by some Australian newspapers today. Perhaps it's been picked up by Malaysian media too.

ROAD rage is a possible motive for the vicious murder of a man who was stabbed and bashed with a hammer in Sydney, police say.
The 43-year-old Malaysian-born employee of the Malaysian Consulate General had become an Australian citizen and had lived in Sydney for about three years.
As he arrived at his home on Marion Street in the inner western suburb of Leichhardt just after midnight today, witnesses saw two men chase the victim across the road.
"We do believe that there may have been a traffic accident ... shortly before the attack occurred," acting Superintendent Shayne Woolbank told reporters at the scene this morning.
Asked if road rage was a motive for the attack, Supt Woolbank said: "It is one of the possibilities".
The attackers were last seen fleeing the scene in a black sedan.
Emergency crews were called to help the man, who died despite the efforts of police officers who performed CPR.
"At this stage, we believe he has sustained some stab wounds and also some bruising and contusions," Supt Woolbank said.
He confirmed that a hammer may have been used in the attack.
"It was a very ferocious attack, there is no doubt about that," he said.
Mohd Nasir Abu Hassan, director of the Malaysian Students Department (of) Australia described the man, who worked as a driver for the consulate, as a "very dear colleague" who was unlikely to get involved in fights.
The victim's name has not yet been released.
Anyone with information about the killing is urged to contact police by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Let us all pray for Uncle Shah. Al Fatihah.