NS trainees do clean-up duty
BY ANTHONY TAN AND IAN MCINTYRESUNGAI PETANI: Some 1,000 national service (NS) trainees from three camps in Kedah took part in a six-hour gotong-royong in tsunami-hit Kota Kuala Muda to help villagers clean their mud-filled houses and surrounding areas.
The 18-year-olds were from the Baling, Merbok and Kulim NS camps.
The trainees, together with 105 trainers and personnel from their camps, helped clean drains, clear mud and debris from the affected houses.
Some also helped to repaint the villagers' homes.
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EAGER TO HELP: Some of the NS trainees washing crockery during the 'gotong royong' to help villagers affected by the tsunami at Kota Kuala Muda in Kedah. |
The Boxing Day tragedy also damaged more than 500 fishing boats.
Mohd Fairuz Abdul Shani, from the Merbok camp, said he was shocked to see the extent of the destruction at Kota Kuala Muda.
“I felt sad as many victims lost all their belongings,” he said.
R. Elavigneswaran, from the same camp, said he had never seen so much mud in his life.
“There were layers of mud everywhere, both inside and outside the houses,” he said.
Teoh Sze Sheng said the sight of the destruction at Kota Kuala Muda surprised him.
“I saw several houses which were completely destroyed and broken boats. We helped villagers remove their belongings and furniture that were destroyed. I felt sorry for them,” he said.
Like Elavigneswaran, Teoh also helped the villagers dig up mud, which had deluged their houses.
In Kuala Perlis, 356 NS trainees from the Tasoh camp rose early and headed for Kuala Sungai Baru to clean a coastal stretch hit by the roaring waves.
From 9am yesterday, the trainees cleared up debris like rubbish, rotting wood and tree trunks.
Some helped fishermen in the area salvage sunken boats.
The trainees also helped push boats that were repaired back to the jetty area during the three-hour gotong-royong.
Kuala Sungai Batu was the worst hit area in Perlis.
Camp Tasoh deputy commandant Kapt Mohd Zain Hussein said this was the first ever gotong-royong for the trainees. .
He said they might be sent to Langkawi tomorrow to help in clean-up efforts on the island.
One trainee, who wanted to be known only as Othman, 17, said most of his fellow trainees were eager to help after hearing news of the killer waves.
Another trainee, Lim Yee Lian, 17, said that she felt proud to help the victims.
Mohd Farid Mahmud, 18, said the experience of helping someone was something that he would cherish forever.
“I was taken aback as clearly, the force of the waves lifted heavy boats and dumped them into the sea,” he said.
A fisherman who was helping in the campaign, Kulaab Liam, said everyone should help affected communities.
“This was the worse disaster I've seen in my life. I hope people will come forward and help those who have been made homeless,” he added.
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