Bernama chairman Abdul Rahman Sulaiman has described Bernama TV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, who was killed in a shooting incident in Mogadishu, Somalia, as a selfless individual and a true professional.

"His death will be recorded in Bernama's annals as a selfless and heroic sacrifice of a true professional not only in the course of his duty but also in the genuine pursuit of humanitarian value," he said.

Abdul Rahman also conveyed his condolences to the family of the late Noramfaizul.

He said that Bernama will render every possible assistance to Noramfaizul's family in this time of bereavement.

noramfaizul mohd nor Noramfaizul, who had joined the Malaysian national news agency in 2002, leaves behind a wife Norazrina Jaafar, 37, and two sons - Mohd Irfan, 8, and Mohd Naufal, 3.

Noramfaizul, 39, was part of a humanitarian mission to the famine-stricken Somalia with the Putera 1Malaysia Club.

He succumbed to his injuries at 6.10pm local time, about 30 minutes after the shooting which occurred as he and five other members of the media were travelling in a four-wheel-drive vehicle back to their place of accommodation in the Somali capital.

Bernama editor-in-chief Yong Soo Heong said Bernama staff had lost a colleague who was diligent and dedicated in his job.

"This is a huge loss for Bernama because he was a committed person and had never neglected his duty. He had always shown a high level of professionalism in his work," he said, recalling that he had often met Noramfaizul and exchanged greetings with him at the Bernama lobby.

"He was a friendly person," he said when met at the house of Noramfaizul's family in Taman Serdang Raya tonight.

Yong said the news agency was discussing with the Prime Minister's Department and Wisma Putra on the arrangement to bring home Noramfaizul's body.

" Bernama will provide all assistance needed by his family," he said.

Parents accept death as God's will

Meanwhile, Noramfaizul's father Mohd Nor Mat Yassin, 66, said his son had covered humanitarian aid missions to Gaza (Palestine) and Pakistan in the past.

Before leaving to Somalia on Aug 28, Noramfaizul was looking very cheerful and excited. He told me that he was going to Somalia with the Putera 1Malaysia Club's humanitarian aid mission, said Mohd Nor.

"He was always interested in cameras and loves to be involved in volunteer services. But we did not expect this to happen but we accept it as fate," he told Bernama at his residence in Taman Serdang Raya here tonight.

Noramfaizul who was born on Nov 14, 1971 was the eldest of six siblings who first joined Bernama in 2002.

His mother Naemah Abdul Majid, 63, said two days before leaving to Somalia, the family held a prayer (doa selamat) while Noramfaizul had bought new shoes for his two children to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

"I did not notice anything strange before he left. Before leaving to Somalia he had given me some money to pay the house rent and also some money (duit raya) for me and his father.

"All family members were present to sent him off. I am certainly sad but I accept it as fate and God's will. I hope his soul will rest in peace," she said.

Neighbour: Noramfaizul always cheerful

Family members, friends and well wishers started arriving at the late Noramfaizul's house after hearing the news which was telecast by local television stations.

Neighbour G Marimuthu, 65, an ex-Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel and his wife G Saraswathi, 63, who had known the late Noramfaizul and his family since 1989 after shifting to the housing estate, came over at 11pm, after learning of his death.

"Before leaving to Somalia, 'Faizul' as he is known, had informed my wife that he was going to Somalia. He was always cheerful and we both are saddened by his demise," said Marimuthu.

- Bernama