Lifesavers: Ling and his son Zi Xuang taking a group picture with Kamil (third from right, front row) and the SAR team during an appreciation dinner at Serendah, Hulu Selangor. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
HULU SELANGOR: Personnel from the 10 agencies involved in the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation during the tragic Batang Kali landslide were feted for their sacrifices and contributions during a special appreciation dinner here.
Among the agencies involved were the Fire and Rescue Department, Police, Civil Defence Forces and the Armed Forces.
Kuala Kubu Baru Fire and Rescue station chief Kamil Hamadan said his team was the first responder during the pre-dawn tragedy at the Father’s Organic Farm camping site.
However, despite the emotional tragedy, the team members had remained physically and mentally strong, he said.
“Initially, there was a lot of emotions involved due to the high number of victims, but the members accepted the tragedy as part and parcel of their daily duties.
“Thank God, most of the personnel involved in the SAR are physically and emotionally okay.
“Through the SAR, we were also able to develop a high level of capability, as well as gain confidence and experience,” said Kamil.
During the landslide on Dec 16 at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, 31 people, including children, died while 61 others were either rescued or had scrambled to safety.
It was a night to remember for David Ling, 43, who met the personnel of the Kuala Kubu Baru Fire Station.
His wife, Liu Pei Si, who was a teacher at SJK(C) Mun Choong, and their youngest son, Zi Xuang, were part of the group that had gone camping there when disaster struck.
Zi Xuang was found partially buried when rescuers arrived at the scene, but his mother, who was completely buried, died.
Ling said he and his son, Zi Xuang, 20, had gone to the Kuala Kubu Baru Fire Station on Thursday to meet his rescuers.
“Both of us spoke about the ordeal, and my son had expressed interest in going to meet the brave personnel who rescued him.
“Without their efforts, I may have lost my son too,” he said, hugging Kamil Hamadan while holding back tears.
“My son is still recovering mentally and physically from the ordeal, but I cannot describe how grateful I am to these men who risked their lives to save him.
“Chinese New Year will not be the same now that Pei Si is not here to celebrate with us,” he said.
One of those who found Zi Xuang, fireman Muhamad Safri Bakri, said he was happy to see him recovering well and in good spirits.
“It’s not everyday that we get to see the people that we have saved. It really feels good,” he said.
Recalling the events of Dec 16, Muhamad Safri said the personnel from the Kuala Kubu Baru, Genting Highlands and Rawang Fire Stations were the first to arrive at the scene.
“We were then divided into teams to go into the area and look for survivors. We initially found a group of people near the riverside and managed to bring them out safely.
“Then, we went up the hilltop and began searching for others. It was there that we found Zi Xuang, whose legs were trapped in the soil and could not move.
“We dug him out, and he told us that his mother was trapped under the soil nearby. Based on the information from him, we started looking and found a sleeping bag nearby,” he said.
It was while they were digging that they found a body that was later confirmed to be Zi Xuang’s mother.
