TEENAGER Satishwaran Sathiasilan could whip up a meal of simple comfort food, like mee goreng, fried eggs and fried rice, which his parents and brother enjoyed.

But the 14-year-old would never be able to realise his dream of becoming a chef, his mother, S. Kasthuribai, said, still in shock over the death of her younger son, who was killed on Monday, struck by a chair flung from the 21st floor of the Seri Pantai People’s Housing Project flats, where the family live.

The 45-year-old restaurant cook said she had hopes of sending Satishwaran to culinary school after he completed his studies.

“He got the inspiration to become a chef after I brought him to the restaurant in Bangsar where I work as a cook. He loved the atmosphere there, and said he wanted to follow in my footsteps.

“That dream is no more, tragedy has struck our family,” she told The Malaysian Insight during a visit to the family’s home today.

Holding back tears, Kasthuribai said Satishwaran was to sit the Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga, or Form Three examinations, this year.

She said her son always enjoyed following her to work, and the restaurant staff members were very fond of him.

“They said he was a very friendly, cheerful and outgoing person. He used to go around greeting and joking with the staff.

“They were all shocked and saddened when they heard news of his death.”

He could have become a lawyer or engineer, she said, but it was his love for food that inspired Satishwaran to become a chef.

He would cook family favourites, like fried noodles, stir-fried cabbage and fried eggs. His own favourite was fried rice.

Mother and son would discuss the amount of spices to use.

“I really liked his cooking and taught him to use the correct amount of spices for the dishes,” said Kasthuribai.

“We would all gather around to eat his cooking, which was really good.

“When he told us that he wanted to become a chef, we said we would fully support his ambition. We told him that he must first work hard and finish his studies, and then, he can pursue his dream.”

Police are still looking for the culprit, who will face a murder charge.

Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department chief Rusdi Mohd Isa had said the case, which was initially classified as manslaughter, had been reclassified as murder, with the suspect facing the mandatory death sentence.

Kashturibai said she was still awaiting news from police on the investigation into her son’s death.

“We have not heard anything yet, and we hope police will catch the person soon.

“All I want is to see the person and ask him, why did he do it? Why did he throw the chair that killed my son and took away our lovely boy?”

Satishwaran loved the idea of becoming a chef so much that he would record cooking shows on TV.

“His favourites were cooking shows from the US,” said the boy’s mother.

“We only allowed him to watch the programmes after he finished his chores. He would clean the house while we were out at work.”

Satishwaran’s father, K. Sathiasilan, 45, said he could not accept his son’s death.

“Although he cooked simple dishes, he cooked them better than me. He was a talented kid, and we were fully supportive of his ambition. Our hopes and dreams for him are now crushed.”

Satishwaran also liked playing with his collection of toy cars, and was close to his elder brother, 18-year-old S. Yogeswaran.

“Sathiswaran would sacrifice anything for the sake of his elder brother,” said Kasthuribai.

The teenager, who studied at La Salle Brickfields, had a generous spirit, and sometimes used his pocket money to buy drinks and sweets for friends in school, said his aunt, S. Vijayalaxhmi, 48.

“He was always generous and looked out for the people around him. He will be deeply missed by all.”

Seri Pantai residents’ association chairman Tusiah Sino said residents had been dumping garbage from their units for years.

“Dumping incidents have been occurring since I moved into the flats 15 years ago. These people have to be taught a lesson.

“The chair was not the only incident. Residents have even thrown a refrigerator and cupboards from their units.”

She said she was told by Kuala Lumpur City Hall that a covered walkway would be built for residents.

“We were told that Seri Pantai is the first area where the structure is expected to be built. We hope they do it soon.”

Tusiah said she fondly remembered Satishwaran, who used to play below the flats in the evenings.

“He always used to greet me as ‘Kak Siah’ when we bumped into each other. Everyone here knows what a nice kid he was.” – January 19, 2018.