200 seek divine intervention

200 seek divine intervention

200 seek divine intervention

Posted: 16 Mar 2014 09:01 AM PDT

17 March 2014| last updated at 12:31AM

The prayers for rain were answered as there was a 30-minute downpour after solat hajat (special prayer) to seek God's assistance. They were performed at a spot near the Durian Tunggal Dam at 10.40am.

Tahfiz students specialise in studying and memorising the Quran.

Despite the downpour, the students and teachers of the religious schools remained seated on their mats and continued with the recital of the yassin and prayers for the safe return of passengers and crew members aboard flight MH370.

The hour-long prayer, organised by the state Badan Amal Tarbiah Sejagat, was led by Amali Dhiya Uddin Ab Rahim from the Ribat Tahfiz Syeikh Ismail Al-Jailani religious school in Serkam, Jasin.

The group consisted of students from Madrasah Bustanul Ulum in Kampung Ayer Merbau and Madrasah Tahfiz Al-quran As-solihin, both in Jasin; Madrasah Tahfiz Al-quran Arrasyidin and Madrasah Tahfiz Baitulnur, both in Alor Gajah, and Maahad Tahfiz Darul Pekima in Shah Alam, Selangor.

In George Town, about 200 members of the Malaysian Origami Association and the public extended their prayers for the passengers and crew during an origami-making event.

The large crowd observed a minute of silence.

Later, it was a hive of activity when participants had their hands full in the origami-making session to fold paper airplanes with the words "MH 370" written on them.

Its president, Kenneth Ch'ng, said origami was a symbol of good luck.

"The origami drive started last Saturday and similar sessions were held in the Klang Valley.

"We have folded 5,700 paper airplanes nationwide and our hope is to have our prayers answered," he said yesterday during the event held in conjunction with a car-free day street carnival in Beach Street.

'Tahfiz' students praying in the rain in Durian Tunggal, near Alor Gajah, yesterday.

'Families feeling better'

Posted: 16 Mar 2014 09:01 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: EMOTIONS of family members of passengers on board MH370  are now more stable and they are coping well, said Welfare Department psychology officer Mohd Noor Ikhram Husin.

He said the families were now more composed compared with when the news of the missing flight broke.

"There has been drastic positive changes in the process of us helping them out through counseling activities and by lending a listening ear," he told the News Straits Times yesterday.

He said on the first day, the families felt lost and confused.

"After the intervention that we made, they began sharing their feelings, which has made them feel better," he said.

He explained that sometimes the role of a counselor was to just listen and to ensure those affected did not feel alone.

"In times of crisis, it is important to listen, and we have gotten closer to the families of passengers."

He said that most of the families did not prefer to talk to others who were there as they did not want to add to their burden.

"This is the time when we play our role," he added.

He also shared how the counselors who were on standby dealt with the situation and unstable emotions of worried family members.

"It is most important to calm them down, by simply standing close to them, holding them down.

"After a while they will start to speak, just give them some time."

He added that others could also do this as some distraught family members may be at home waiting for news and those who visit them could be in need of help.

Mohd Noor said the next step was crucial and this was to express concern.

"Tell them you are not sure what to say but you are concerned. It is very important to use the right words and they become calm," he said.

He shared that it was next important to ask the next of kin and family members on how as well as what sort assistance they required.

"In our case some wanted to just rest and we help arrange with the parties involved," he explained.

He stressed that what those affected needed was less of counseling but more of a moral support.

"Once we have established a relationship, it becomes easier for them to talk and they will eventually feel better."

The department, he said had deployed 15 counselors at the hotel with 10 working at one time, on four shifts (1am to 7am, 7am to 1pm, 1pm to 7pm and 7pm to 1am)

In Putrajaya, Malaysian Crisis Intervention Team deputy president Dr Abdul Jalil Hassan said families and the next of kin of passengers aboard flight MH370 should participate in outdoor activities.

He said outdoor activities could help divert their attention away from thoughts on their loved ones.

"They cannot remain in the room or at home always. They need to go outdoor, catch a breath of fresh air and meet with their friends or relatives as this will ease their worries."

Dr Jalil said the sign that showed their emotional stability was due to their willingness to be interviewed by the media as compared to the first day when they were informed of the tragedy.

"Their emotions are stable and this can be seen from their response when they were interviewed.

"They are stronger and are able to control their feelings. Moreover, the new possibilities that were revealed gave them a glimmer of hope.

"There are ups and downs when it comes to emotions and sometimes it can be affected by several factors including social support from the people surrounding them, trust and also their beliefs. Everyone has emotions, and it depends on how we control and manage it."

Dr Jalil said it was not only counseling services that is provided to the families and next of kin, but there were other approaches that could be used aside from building a closer relationship with them.

"Sometimes, it does not mean that only words of encouragement can ease their stress and tension, hugs will also help them. Even by holding their hands, it can give them immense strength."

Some of the relatives of the passengers from China who boarded MH370 walking in Cyberjaya yesterday. Pic by Fariz Iswadi Ismail

Chinese cadets keen to be cops

Posted: 16 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

17 March 2014| last updated at 11:58PM

The Form Four students of SMK Petra Jaya said they joined the police cadet to help realise their dreams.

Huey Ling and Huey Jing were among 252 cadets from 26 secondary schools who attended a three-day camping programme aimed at introducing them to the profession at the police training centre in Padawan here. It ended yesterday.

"We are the only Chinese cadets in our school but, hopefully, more will join because it is challenging yet interesting," said Huey Jing

Echoing the sentiment was 19-year-old Yeo Soon Peng of SM St Thomas, who said he had learnt a lot since becoming a police cadet two years ago.

"Many think being a policeman is difficult but I find it to be fun."

Deputy city police chief Superintendent Fauzilan Abdul Aziz said the camp was held to expose cadets to policing activities.

Netizens show they care

Posted: 16 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

17 March 2014| last updated at 12:19AM

An organisation, with the support of 1Malaysia for Youth (IM4U), gathered netizens here for an event called "Sama-Sama for MH370" to show their support through prayers, poetry, songs and art.

Joining them was avid Twitterer Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who uses the Twitter handle @mpkotabelud.

Rahman said the whole nation should unite to support the government in its efforts to find the missing aircraft.

"This is the first time our country is facing such a major incident."

He urged netizens to stop sharing and "retweeting" speculative news that painted search-and-rescue efforts in a bad light.

"These posts not only dampen our morale but also hurt the families of the passengers and crew members of MH370. Take everything that is shared on the Internet with a pinch of salt."

Many events such as this, have been organised throughout the country since the MH370 went missing last Saturday.

Prayers and candlelight vigils have been held not only in Malaysia but around the world.

A non-governmental organisation Malaysian for Malaysia, together with several major shopping malls in the country, had put up Walls of Hope.

Visitors can write down their hopes, prayers and support for the passengers and crew members, as well as their families on these walls which have been put up at Pavillion, Fahrenheit 88, One Utama, MidValley Megamall, Bangsar Village and Bangsar Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Others include Mesra Mall in Kuala Terengganu, Kinta City Mall in Ipoh and Gurney Plaza in Georgetown, Penang.

Universities, too, have been holding events to express their concern for the safety of the passengers and crew members.

Staff and students of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak conducted solat hajat at their Centre of Language Studies. People can leave messages of support on the glass doors of the centre's foyer.

Some of the posters created by netizens to show their support for the missing MAS flight MH370 at the "Sama-Sama for MH370" event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Rosela Ismail

PM's statement assures China families

Posted: 16 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

17 March 2014| last updated at 12:17AM

A Malaysia Airlines (MAS) officer, who declined to be named, said about 30 family members were brought to a room in Hotel Cyberview Resort and Spa, at 2 pm to listen to the progress on the search and rescue (SAR) operation.

The emotions of the Chinese family members were reportedly unstable since they arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday, with some seen weeping.

He said every Chinese family was taken care of by two MAS officers and the management had also opened a treatment room in the hotel.

Najib had said based on latest information, the unidentified aircraft detected by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) on Saturday was MH370 which made a turnback, flew across the peninsula before turning northwest.

The MAS aircraft, which was carrying 239 passengers including the crew, reportedly went missing in the early hours of March 8. Bernama

Unisel banner a hit

Posted: 16 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

17 March 2014| last updated at 12:06AM

The 30 students from the Faculty of Communication and Media of Universiti Industri Selangor (Unisel) were accompanied by four lecturers.

Lecturer Hazween Syarina Md Hassan said the 60m banner was the brainchild of the students.

"This is part of our community outreach project after MH370 was reported missing.

"We will also distribute 2,000 'Pray For MH370' car stickers to the public," she said.

Hazween said members of the public who were at the airport yesterday were appreciative of their efforts, with many seen putting their signature on the banner.

Unisel also planned to visit KLCC Shopping Centre and Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur with the banner. Bernama