BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA
KUCHING: Menti Majin did not expect to become a widow after being married for only three months to Michael Riman Bugat, recipient of the bravery medal Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB).
The 53-year-old said her late husband had asked her to stay near him, as if knew his time to go was near.
“Before the Heroes’ Day celebration, he invited me to go and visit his previous workplace in Peninsular Malaysia. He was excited to take me to and show me places that he used to work in.
“Unbeknownst to us, after returning from the trip he fell ill on the third night we were back home. The next day, he was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital because he was not feeling well.
“Within four days, he passed away on Monday (Aug 7),” she told reporters.
Recalling one of their conversations before his passing, Menti said Riman spoke about how he used to bring his former wife and their children to visit the Heroes’ Grave.
He told them that his resting place would also be at the Heroes’ Grave and if anyone were to look for him, they should go there.
“He said if I were to live long, I must not venture too far from his family in Kuching. He entrusted his children and grandchildren to look after and take care of each other,” she said.
Menti said the Riman had big dreams for his children and asked her to make sure they succeed in life.
Meanwhile, Riman’s sister Gedik Bugat said he was very close with his siblings.
He was the sixth child in a family of eight siblings.
“He was very active, and he never turned down any invitations for an outing. There were many things that he taught us, like our history and the importance of living a good life.
“There was no final message or advice from him because we did not expect that he would be gone soon. We thought he would recover and return to his usual self,” she said.
