Amid the chaos and terror that unfolded in Bangkok's Siam Paragon, the Crown Prince of Johor found himself in a harrowing situation that put his fatherly instincts to the ultimate test. As the shots rang out, echoing through the mall and striking fear into the hearts of those present, TMJ, as he is affectionately known, reassured his wife and children with a simple yet profound phrase: "Everything is going to be okay."
TMJ and his family were in the lobby of their hotel, mere moments away from the crime scene that claimed three lives. The abrupt eruption of gunfire sent waves of panic through the crowd, prompting them to seek refuge in the lobby.
"It was deafening, and the screams were piercing," TMJ recalled, his voice laced with the memory of that fateful evening.
In times of crisis, a father's protective instincts kick in. TMJ swiftly gathered his children in his arms and led his family, accompanied by his security team, to safety in the basement. With no clear information about the ongoing shooting and the number of assailants, TMJ knew he had to remain vigilant, ready for any threat that could endanger his family.
"My security team and I formed a human shield to shield my family from harm at all costs," he recounted.
During those tense moments, all TMJ could do was hold his family close and offer them reassurance that everything would be alright. Simultaneously, he coordinated with his team to find a safe exit from the building, ensuring their swift departure.
"While my wife embraced our terrified children, we remained low and composed, trying to allay their fears," TMJ shared.
His security team skillfully manoeuvred a vehicle to the basement, swiftly transporting the family out of harm's way. Their destination was the Singapore Embassy, which was closer to their hotel than the Malaysian Embassy. At the embassy, TMJ reached out to Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian Minister of Defense, briefing them on the terrifying incident.
The immediate plan was to return to Johor as soon as safety was assured.
TMJ revealed that, despite enduring the most traumatic experience of his life, everyone emerged unharmed. His visit to Bangkok had originally been to oversee preparations for JDT games at Stadium Pathum Thani, Thailand, but it quickly turned into a tale of courage and familial love that will forever be etched in his memory.
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