By Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah

MACHANG: After 41 days in the hands of pirates, MT Bunga Melati Dua crew member Mohd Salwadi Mamat can hardly wait to marry his childhood sweetheart.

Salwadi, who returned home on Saturday, was engaged to Nor Hasliza Mat Zin on Aug 24 while he was in captivity.

The engagement ceremony was carried out by his family in his absence.

"After going through the harrowing experience, I feel I need a life partner to calm me down when I get into difficulties.

"There will also be someone waiting at home when I get back from my trips," he said at his house in Taman Alia here.

Salwadi said he and Nor Hasliza, a 22-year-old trainee nurse, were to have gone shopping for their wedding on the second day of Hari Raya, but had to postpone the plan.

"We have to postpone it as she has to return to Kuantan to undergo training at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan.

"We will wait until she gets leave again," he said, adding that the wedding would be held early next year.

Despite his ordeal, the 31-year-old sailor remains cheerful and does not plan to quit his job.

"I have been sailing for almost 10 years and the bad experience will not put me off," he said.

The eldest of three siblings, Salwadi hopes to have a big family.

"If possible, I want my children to follow in my footsteps as a sailor as the job is exciting.

"We can gain a lot of experience travelling all over the world."

Since his return, relatives and friends have been visiting the family to offer Hari Raya wishes and to hear about his experience with the pirates.