"This is a blessing for my family because the prayers of our friends and family for him (Amirul) and the other crew members to be safe are answered...I cannot say anything...so grateful to Allah," said Zabarudin Zakaria, 49, father of MT Orkim Harmony crew member, Amirul Azim Zabarudin, 21.

He said he was speechless and could only hug his eldest son as soon as they met in Kuantan at 6 pm yesterday.

"When we met, he told us a little about the incident, but I had already told my wife who had come along not to ask too many questions because I did not want him to be stressed.

"That first meeting, we only asked how he was and broke fast with him before we returned to Melaka," he told reporters when met at his house here yesterday.

He said his son seemed a little traumatised by the incident.

Zabarudin said he had rushed to Kuantan with his wife and two other family members, and arrived at 11 am yesterday, but could only meet his son at about 6 pm.

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He said Amirul who was a crew member in the maintenance division was now still in Kuantan to help in further investigations into the incident.

"Our family awaits his return, but if he wants to continue working, we will not force him because he is still 'on duty'," he said.

Zabarudin said he believed Amirul was not affected by the incident as he was strong-willed and committed to his three-year career.

He also expressed his thanks to the government and all the agencies involved in the search-and-rescue mission for the MT Orkim Harmony tanker on which his son was, together with 21 other crew.

The tanker which was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of RON95 petrol worth RM21 million was reported missing at 8.57 pm on June 11 while en route from Melaka to Kuantan Port, Pahang.

MT Orkim Harmony arrived safely at Kuantan Port at 7.30 am yesterday.

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