HO CHI MINH CITY, March 11 — Restaurateur Meor Shaifulizuan Meor Ahmad, 39, could not just sit idly by when he heard about the disappearance of Flight MH370 on Saturday.

It has only been about a year since he started his restaurant, D’Nyonya, in the Vietnamese city and his bond with his former colleagues in Malaysia Airlines (MAS) remains strong. 

Meor, who is from Ipoh, Perak, worked as a cabin crew for 17 years and when his wife informed him about the incident on Saturday morning, he started making calls to find out who were the crew members on board. 

“When my former colleagues told me their names, I was sad. I haven’t stopped praying for their safe return,” he said.

He personally knew inflight supervisor Patrick Gomes and chief steward Andrew Nari.

“I have travelled with Patrick and Andrew numerous times. They are good-hearted people and we were close. I feel for their families and hope they are staying strong,” he said.

Meor said the crew members, including Cpt Zaharie Ahmad Shah, first officer Fariq Ab Hamid, Goh Sock Lay, Tan Ser Kuin, Wan Swaid Wan Ismail, Foong Wai Yueng, Junaidi Mohd Kassim and Mohd Hazrin Mohamed Hasnan, had 10 to 20 years of experience and  were capable.

“The team on board MH370 is capable of handling any sort of situation given the training they underwent and the years of experience they have. That’s why I am hopeful that a miracle can happen,” he said. 

Meor said he would provide any sort of help to the families of the passengers if they were flown here by MAS. 

“We will do our best to assist them if they arrive here,” he said, adding that he and other Malaysians were planning to have a Solat Hajat for the passengers and their families. 

After hearing the search and rescue operations were being conducted in Vietnamese waters, Meor visited the Malaysian embassy for more information. 

“I feel restless just like all Malaysians who are waiting and hoping to hear from MH370. I have also been talking with reporters from Kuala Lumpur who are here,” he said.

Meor said one thing that had been going through in his mind was the mystery surrounding the disappearance. 

“I don’t believe in rumours and speculation. But it’s a mystery. In any emergency, let it be a hijacking or technical fault, the crew has many ways to send out distress signals,” he said.