Sungai Petani Umno Division Chief Major (R) Abdul Rahim Saad has arranged for Nur Shakinah’s parents, Naim Awang and Nur Halizah Ahmad, to fly to France.

“I sympathise with them. When I visited them at their home, I saw that they are not rich people. I understand how they feel because I too have a child studying overseas.

“This child of theirs is the family’s hope for a better life,” Rahim told FMT when contacted.

He confirmed that he has made arrangements for Nur Shakinah’s parents to fly to France, as well as for their accommodation and transportation to travel to Normandy where Nur Shakinah is studying engineering at the Institut Universitaire Technologie (IUT) de Rouen.

“May God ease things for them and hope they will be reunited with their beloved daughter,” Rahim said, adding that he will most likely be accompanying Nur Shakinah’s parents as he had a child who once studied in Paris, France.

Wisma Putra had earlier confirmed that efforts are currently underway with the assistance of local agencies in France to locate Nur Shakinah, who is studying in France on a Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship.

The 19-year-old had gone missing from her rented apartment around noon on Sept 25.

The matter was then reported to the Malaysian embassy in France by her housemate the same night.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the father of the student is hoping for her safe return to Malaysia to continue her studies.

“I am so traumatised now and if we find my daughter again, I just want to bring her home so that she can continue her studies here,” Naim, 46, told reporters at his home in Kampung Masjid Tanah, Tikam Batu, Sungai Petani, today.

Naim is scheduled to fly to France with his wife, Nur Haluzah Ahmad, 43, on Saturday.