Missing MH370: Kin grappling with how to break news to loved ones

PUTRAJAYA: Some family members of those on board Flight MH370 are still grappling with how to break the news to their loved ones.

The eldest son of S. Puspanathan, one of the 38 Malaysians on board the missing flight, thinks his father is away on a working trip.

Puspanathan’s cousin S. Puvaneswary said the three-year-old is able to accept his mother’s explanation for now.

“My cousin is often away on business trips so his son is used to him being away but we don’t know how long more we can keep this from him,” said Puvaneswary when met at the Everly Hotel here, where the next-of-kin of the passengers are placed by Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

Puvaneswary said the son was very close to Puspanathan and often asked for him even when he was away.

“We, especially his wife and his mother, are distraught. But we remain positive and hopeful that he will be back soon,” said Puvaneswary, fighting back tears.

The family of Tong Soon Lee, 31, an engineer with the US-based Freescale Semiconductor, awaits anxiously as new developments on the plane’s disappearance trickle in.

Tong’s uncle, who does not wish to be named, said Tong’s grandfather has not been informed of the fate of his grandson.

“His grandfather can’t know because he may not be able to take it,” he said.

Tong’s uncle said his family felt there was a lack of coordination in the way details were released to the families.

“We have to find out most of the information from the Internet ourselves,” the 58-year-old said, adding that Tong’s family, especially his father, is trying to cope with the situation.

The father of Mohd Khairul Amril Selamat, 29 – an engineer with a company in Subang Jaya, Selangor – said his family was prepared for the worst.

“We will accept whatever his fate is,” said Selamat Omar, 60, of his son who is married with a one-year-old boy.

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