'It was a life-changing moment'

'It was a life-changing moment'

'It was a life-changing moment'

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

"YOU don't forget it if you were there," Datuk Dr Soh Chai Hock, the former deputy director of the Fire and Rescue Department said.

For Soh, the Highland Towers tragedy was one of those life-changing moments which will remain embedded in his memory forever.

"On Saturday afternoon on Dec 11, 1993, I received a phone call at my office informing me that a building had collapsed in Taman Hillview, Ulu Klang, and that people were trapped under the debris.

"At that time, there had been many incidences of buildings collapsing during construction. "Fast track" was the buzzword and some developers were cutting corners. This, however, was the first completed and occupied building that had collapsed.

"I remember being shocked at how this was possible. After getting the address, I got into my car and sped towards the site.

"When I arrived, I was stunned. The fire department personnel had arrived and had just started setting up rescue operations. The priority was saving lives, but no one was in charge and no one could tell me with certainty how many were trapped under the rubble.

"We just picked up our equipment and started searching for survivors."

Soh recalled that the building shook as they were doing a "scoop-and-run" rescue inside.

"We then brought in iron rods to strengthen the walls.

"Dr Iain Gray, a resident of Highland Towers Block 3, who was an engineer by training, offered technical advice on how to proceed with the rescue. We were firefighters and rescuers, not engineers and we needed the expertise," he said, adding that army, police, Federal Reserve Unit personnel and Malaysian Red Crescent volunteers arrived later.

On the first day, only two women and an 18-month-old baby were rescued from the wreckage. One of the women died of her injuries in hospital later the same day.

The next day, rescue teams from Singapore, France, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States arrived to help.

After seven days searching for survivors, the search moved to recovery stage for bodies instead.

"It was so bad that after visiting the site, my wife would not let me into my house until I had washed myself in the garden with the hose before I entered my home."

His wife, Datin Chua Bee Lee, said: "I didn't see him for days. But I wasn't afraid as he knows his job very well and I had faith that God would keep him safe. He was there from the beginning until the last truck left.

"When he came into the house, the first thing he did was to set the alarm for 15 minutes. Then he fell asleep immediately. Fifteen minutes later when the alarm rang, he got up and got ready to go again.

"I asked him, 'Why don't you get a good rest?' He said, 'Because it is only in the first few days that we can get anybody out alive. So I cannot sleep'."

Soh described it as a "crisis within a crisis".

"There was a lot of cooperation but there was no coordination and no person in command."

Working with an international team also created problems with coordination and cultural considerations.

"The Japanese didn't speak any other language and the French couldn't understand either of us. We had to use gestures to communicate and we had to divide the building between the different international rescue teams."

However, the tragedy did result in major changes in how Malaysia handled disasters.

After retirement, Soh was appointed as Fire Expert by the Asean Productivity Organisation in Tokyo, Japan, to promote Emergency Response Planning in the Green Product Programme, an inter-government technical aid programme.

He then developed the PAIR Disaster Management System -- an integrated platform to address emergency planning issues which could be understood across different cultural backgrounds, professional disciplines, skills and knowledge levels.

Soh said the tragedy proved to be turning point on how Malaysia handled disasters of such magnitude.

"Two important things came out of it. First, the National Security Council created Directive 20, the instrument which stipulated how to manage and who lead in case of a disaster.

"Secondly, the Fire and Rescue Department was able to transform itself into a modern world-class rescue service with air, water and road response abilities.

"Four years after this tragedy, we shifted from being an aid-recipient to a donor country, as good as any other.

"The only thing is how to maintain it as we move forward as a nation.

"The first things that happen when disaster strikes are panic, chaos and fear. These are things that the public must be trained to face.

"In moving forward, we must have emergency drills in Malaysia which we don't have presently. If we had this, people would be calmer and prepared to function more effectively in a disaster, knowing what to do and when to do it."

The French rescue team trying to enter the collapsed building with the help of a tracker dog to detect movements or sounds.

Safety first for modified cars

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

09 December 2013| last updated at 11:30PM

Sabah Road Safety Department (JKJR) director Herdiansah Abd Karim said while there was nothing stopping people from beautifying their vehicles for showcases and exhibitions, their cars should always comply with the Road Transport Department's technical specifications.

"Owners should know that some alterations could pose a danger to drivers and passengers.

"Among the modifications made by enthusiasts include installing huge tyres and rims, as well as large exhausts, which could cause their cars to become unstable.

"Heavily-tinted windscreens as well as excessive use of stickers and plush toys could also block the drivers' view," he said during the launch of a road safety campaign involving four Perodua car owners' clubs here yesterday.

Herdiansah said the campaign targeted car club members as they focused on leisure and fun activities instead of on the safety aspects.

The campaign saw 150 members educated on how to identify genuine car parts, besides imparting maintenance knowledge and driving tips.

"JKJR is looking forward to collaborating with both Proton and Perodua car owners' clubs next year to spread similar messages.

"We believe that via these clubs, we can reach out to the public more effectively as their members are keen to join such programmes."

As of yesterday, the department had organised about 150 awareness programmes for urban and rural folk, as well as vehicle-sellers this year.

Sabah Road Safety Department director Herdiansah Abd Karim (right) presenting a certificate to a participant of a road safety campaign in Kota Kinabalu recently. Pic by Mohd Adam Arinin

5 copters ferry supplies to 18,000 flood victims

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

09 December 2013| last updated at 11:47PM

  THE authorities have been working tirelessly to rescue and distribute aid to more than 18,000 displaced flood victims in the district since the disaster struck on Tuesday.

Five helicopters from the armed forces, Fire and Rescue Department and Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), besides more than 50 boats and lorries from multiple government agencies, including the police, military and Civil Defence Department, were deployed to ensure smooth aid distribution to 57 relief centres in five affected locations here.

State Fire and Rescue Department Operations Management chief Mohamed Zulkhairul Mohamed Razilah said the department used a AW139 helicopter to transport aid to areas inaccessible by trucks and boats.

"Since the flood hit Kemaman, we have ferried about 11,000 victims using 15 boats and seven lorries to relief centres, alongside our counterparts from other agencies who have also been working round--the-clock.

"There were several relief centres in Seberang Tayur, Kampung Paya Berenjut and Sungai Pinang which were in accessible by lorries, while the flood current was too strong for boats.

"We had to request for helicopters to send food and basic necessities there," he said when met at SM Agama Al-Falah here yesterday.

The school's field was used as a centre for the helicopter to collect supplies. The helicopter team is based in the department's academy in Wakaf Tapai, Marang.

However, the helicopter could only be deployed here on Thursday because of bad weather conditions.

Zulkhairul said the helicopter had completed 18 sorties (trips) to the areas. On Thursday five sorties, Friday (six) and yesterday (seven).

They were not allowed to take off on Saturday due to adverse weather conditions.

Two Royal Malaysian Navy Fennec helicopters, the Royal Malaysian Air Force's EC725 and MMEA's Dolphin, had conducted 10 sorties to send food and medical items to areas in Banggol Indah, Pasir Gajah and Air Putih on Friday and yesterday.

On challenges faced by rescue workers in executing their duties, Zulkhairul said they had communication problem in the first four days due to breakdown in cellular network here.

Even their walkie-talkies could not be fully utilised due to the network breakdown.

"Another challenge was the lack of cooperation received from some of the victims, who declined to evacuate until it was too late. This affected our rescue operations as there were quite a number who called for help at the same time. Worse were the night missions, which posed high risks to the rescuers. But it is our duty."

It was learned that the armed forces had deployed more than 400 personnel here.

Captain Ahmad Fauzi Khalid from the Royal Malay Regiment, a liaison officer at the district disaster operations centre here, said they were equipped with 54 assorted land vehicles, including trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles, and 12 boats.

District police chief Superintendent Che Suza Che Hitam said they deployed more than 300 personnel, with six lorries, 11 4WD vehicles and 11 boats to help flood victims here.

Flood victims from Kampung Seberang Tayur Hilir, who have been cut off by floodwaters since Tuesday, lauded the efforts made to distribute aid.

Several of the victims met by the NST team yesterday described the rescuers' relief efforts as "very quick" and efficient.

Housewife Wan Sharifah Wan Idris, 47, said her house was completely submerged in floodwaters, forcing her family of eight to seek shelter at another villager's house located on higher ground and turned into a temporary relief centre.

"It was very stressful as our village was completely cut off from the outside world. The roads were submerged in water, cellular phone network was down, while supplies of water and electricity had also been cut off.

"However, we are really thankful to the government agencies for their quick response in sending aid here."

Flood victims collecting aid brought by a Fire and Rescue Department helicopter to a relief centre in Kemaman district yesterday.

Malaysia-Brunei bridge opens

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

09 December 2013| last updated at 11:45PM
By KAMARULZAMAN SALLEH AND GOH PEI PEI | news@nst.com.my

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: THE opening of the friendship bridge linking Temburong, Brunei, and Limbang, Sarawak, will contribute towards increasing cross-order trade while enhancing the socio-economic status of residents in both areas, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

He said the bridge, costing RM21.9 million and shared by both governments, would help promote tourism between the countries as it was an important component of the Pan Borneo trunk road in line with the Asean Community objectives to be realised by 2015.

The trunk road runs from Kuching, Sarawak, to Tawau, Sabah.

Najib said more than 100,000 tourists from Brunei visited Sabah and Sarawak last year.

"This figure is expected to grow with the opening of this friendship bridge," he said at the launch of the bridge in conjunction with the 17th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders' Consultation here.

Najib said he was happy with the launch as it demonstrated the close relationship enjoyed by both countries.

He said the project, which started in May last year, was completed in October. The 200m-long bridge across Sungai Pandaruan had eased travelling time, he added.

For years, travellers, especially motorists, have had to wait for hours to use ferries to cross the 60m-wide river, which took less than five minutes.

Najib said the ferry service would cease to operate with the opening of the bridge.

Earlier, Najib arrived at the bridge in a four-wheel-drive driven by Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in a symbolic gesture to mark the historic occasion.

Both leaders later signed a plaque before cutting ribbons to mark the official opening of the friendship bridge. This was followed by vehicles from both sides of the border crossing the bridge. Present were Brunei Crown Prince Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and senior officials from both countries.

Fadillah said the bridge was the vital missing link of the Pan Borneo Highway linking Sematan in the western part of Sarawak and Tawau. "This bridge will end the hassle of long queues, especially during the holiday seasons. This will surely foster closer relations between people from both sides of the border." Limbang resident Chua Eng Hin, 70, said people had been wishing for a bridge to cross the river for more than 50 years.

"The ferry crossing is just 20m, but travellers have to wait a long time to cross the river, especially during holiday seasons. "Crossing is not a hassle on normal days, but during festivities and school holidays, the queues can stretch 2km to 3km on both sides of the border. This is because the ferry can only accommodate 10 vehicles and takes less if the vehicles are bigger.

Limbang member of parliament Hasbi Habibollah said he would propose setting up higher learning institutions in the area.

"With more learning institutions and colleges, we can attract students from Brunei.

Such a mechanism will spur more joint ventures with the Brunei people. On the annual consultation between Brunei and Malaysia, Najib said it was forging ahead in a positive direction in all aspects of cooperation following the signing of the exchange of letters agreement in 2009.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah opening the friendship bridge in Limbang yesterday. Bernama pic

'Green' river taxis to ply Sarawak's waters

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

09 December 2013| last updated at 11:29PM
By ESTHER LANDAU | estherthomaslandau@nst.com.my

KUCHING: TWO new electric-powered river taxis,  the first of its kind in the country, are set to become another tourism attraction in Sarawak.

State Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg said the pioneer project between the Tourism Ministry and the Sarawak Rivers Board was part of efforts to encourage green technology adoption in the state's development.

"We want to develop the rivers and lakes as a tourist attraction, thus, the ministry acquired these two electric-powered, eco-friendly boats from Australia."

He said it was also part of plans to develop hinterland tourism, which also covers lakes created by hydro-electric projects.

The two boats use battery-powered engines instead of fuel.

Each of the RM170,000 boats could operate for up to eight hours with a full charge.

Each boat comes with a small built-in refrigerator, radio and tables.

The two boats, named Sri Satok and Sungai Kuap, are silent, eco-friendly and can transport between eight to 12 passengers from the Sarawak River Taxi Pontoon at Kuching Waterfront.

Johari, who did not reveal the fares or exact date for the start of the boats' operations, said he would encourage the Hilton Batang Ai hotel in Lubok Antu to acquire the new river taxis if they received good feedback from tourists.

He said the traditional penambang river taxis would continue operating, despite the introduction of the new electric-powered river taxis.

"The penambang will not be affected by the new river taxis, but we encourage them to redesign their boats' interior for the convenience of tourists."

State Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg launching 'Sri Satok', one of two electric-powered river boats to be used as tourist attractions on the bank of Sungai Sarawak yesterday. Pic by Azahan Rosli

Muhyiddin foundation donates RM100k

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

09 December 2013| last updated at 11:40PM

SHAH ALAM: The NSTP-Media Prima Disaster Fund yesterday received RM100,000 from Yayasan Tan Sri Muhyiddin (TSM) for flood victims in Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Johor.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin presented the cheque to Media Prima Bhd corporate social responsibility adviser Datuk Ahmad A. Talib during the TSM Golf Challenge 2013 awards ceremony at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club here.

Yayasan TSM Charity Golf president Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas later said it was not the first time the charity body had contributed to disaster relief efforts.

"Our golf tournament yesterday was successful and the weather was cooperative, unlike in the east coast.

"That is why we decided to contribute RM100,000 to the victims to alleviate their suffering."

He said the money would help those who lost their homes and belongings to the flood.

Ahmad said NSTP-Media Prima would determine the best way to distribute the funds soon.

He said it was possible that part of the fund would go towards assisting parents of school-going children by providing uniforms, books and other equipment.

"Our volunteers are already on the ground and more will depart today. We still welcome donations."

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin handing a mock cheque of Yayasan Tan Sri Muhyiddin's donation to Media Prima Bhd corporate social responsibility adviser Datuk Ahmad A. Talib (left). With them are Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (second from left) and Yayasan TSM Charity Golf president Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas.


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