Recognition for heroes
Kundasang: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Government will consider giving special recognition to the mountain guides involved in the search and rescue operations for earthquake victims on Mount Kinabalu.
The Deputy Prime Minister described the mountain guides as “unsung heroes”, because they have done a great thing.
“They rescued climbers stranded on Mount Kinabalu and brought down injured victims after the earthquake. They are the ones I would say are the unsung heroes … what is the special recognition, that needs to be considered,” he said.
Earlier, he also praised the efficiency of the rescue teams comprising members of various agencies, including mountain guides, who worked feverishly to save the victims.
Muhyiddin thanked the rescue teams which comprised the police, fire and rescue department, armed forces, Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue (SMART) team and the Malaysian Civil Defence Department (JPAM) for successfully carrying out their duties despite the dangers and difficulties involved.
“We want to say thank you and congratulations to them because action was taken immediately, and secondly, this is a popular area, many climbers had come here including at the time of the incident, hundreds of climbers were up there (peak of Mount Kinabalu).
“The district police Chief provided data on climbers from Singapore, Japan, Turkey, Malaysia, etc. This figure has been conveyed to me, including those who died as a result of the tremors up there, and most of the bodies have been brought down,” he said.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the government will take appropriate action to recognised the contributions of the mountain guides. He said he had been tasked by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to compile the names of mountain guides who had and “risked their lives” on the top of the mountain, trying to rescue the 137 people down to safety on Saturday.
“According to the Deputy Prime Minister the mountain guides who have assisted in the rescue operations are the “unsung heroes” or the real heroes in the search missions,” he said. “A simple token of appreciation from the government to the guides will be made,” he added.
Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam also called for the mountain guides and porters to be given due recognition and appreciation.
Gunsalam, who is Kundasang Assemblyman, said with the closure of the parks for reassessment and repair, they have lost their main source of income.
“They really have done a lot and have yet to get due recognition,” he said.
“I personally salute their bravery and unselfishness in helping evacuate or bringing those who were injured. No words can express my sincere thanks and gratefulness to them.
“They are indeed the heroes and made the country and State proud. Some indeed were killed while helping others while all the guides risked their lives when they could simply escape earlier if they did not think about the welfare of the climbers,” he said.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun on Saturday was quoted as saying that the mountain would be off limits to climbers for three weeks.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also announced a RM10,000 financial aid from the Federal and State governments to families of the earthquake victims from Malaysia who perished.
For victims who sustained injuries, he said a financial aid of RM2,000 would be given to them while RM1,000 would be given to those who did not sustain injuries but traumatised by the incident.
The aid was only for Malaysian citizens.
Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin and Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Ewon Ebin and Masidi.
Source: Daily Express
