Seeking recompense: Ng speaking during a virtual press conference with family members of the deceased. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Chinese tourist Liu Xinxin had planned a memorable trip to celebrate her father Liu Zhu’s 70th birthday, with Penang as their chosen destination.Tragically, they were killed in a freak accident at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion in Church Street here on Sept 18 last year.
Zhu, 69, and Xinxin, 36, were about to leave the area with their driver when strong winds uprooted a thick clump of ornamental bamboo and sacred fig trees growing from the wall of an adjacent building, crushing their car and claiming their lives.
Yang Xueli, who is the widow of Zhu and mother of Xinxin, spoke of how the loss continues to haunt her.
“One was the man who stood by me through countless trials, promising me a life of stability.
“The other was my precious child, whom I raised with so much love and effort. Fate cruelly took them away from me.
“This tragedy didn’t just take away my loved ones. It shattered my entire life,” said the 69-year-old, her voice breaking.
Xinxin’s husband Wang Gengfeng, 41, described her as talented, beautiful, virtuous, hardworking and loving.
He said their 11-year-old child has been left without a mother.
Wang claimed that several human factors could have contributed to the tragedy, including ignored weather warnings, hiring of an unqualified travel agent and failure to take preventive safety measures.
He added that since the tragedy, neither of the parties involved have reached out to offer an apology or convey their condolences.
Both Yang and Wang, who were in China, spoke to reporters via a Zoom session organised by their lawyer Ng Kian Nam at his legal firm in Bayan Baru yesterday.
The family from Hebei province is demanding RM1.76mil in compensation and an apology from five parties.
They are Pinang Peranakan Mansion Sdn Bhd (museum operator), SSM Capital Sdn Bhd (landowner of the museum), Sri Kumaran’s Textile Sdn Bhd (owner of the building where the collapsed tree had grown on), Pony Holiday Sdn Bhd (tour agency) and Har Kwai Leng (tour driver).Ng, who took up the case on a pro bono and public interest basis, said he would also seek an explanation from Penang Island City Council (MBPP) over the incident before deciding if it would be the sixth liable party.
“They (Zhu and Xinxin) were the main breadwinners in the family. We believe they would not have lost their lives if the respective parties had taken basic and reasonable measures to maintain the tree and safety of the parking area at the museum.
“As such, the family wishes to seek an apology and RM1.76mil from these parties in general and special damages,” Ng said.
The family is seeking claims of RM464,829 for Zhu, RM1.133mil for Xinxin and an additional RM160,211 for accommodation and air tickets.
