GEORGE TOWN, July 20 — A Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) lecturer candidate who was returning to his village in Muar, Johor was among the passengers of Malaysia Airlines MH17 which crashed in Ukraine.
Mohd Ali Md Salim, 30, who was pursuing his doctorate in Development Neuropsychopathology at Erasmus university in Rotterdam, Netherlands was returning home for holidays in Kampung Jayor, Pagoh.
USM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Omar Osman said USM was saddened over the fate of Mohd Ali whom he described as a brilliant student and potential lecturer of the university.
“USM is ready to assist in anyway to ease the burden of Mohd Ali’s family and will contact his family at their village,” he said in a statement. Omar said Mohd Ali, the fourth among eight siblings was studying under USM’s Academic Training Scheme, and was expected to complete his studies next year.
“According to his sister, Nurzazila whom we contacted early this morning, her brother had called on Wednesday to enquire if there were any requests from them,” he said. He said Nurzazila, her parents and other family members were currently staying at a hotel in Putrajaya to obtain the latest development involving Mohd Ali.
– BERNAMA
