Tearful memorial at Highland Towers site

BY AUDREY EDWARDS

KUALA LUMPUR: Some shed tears freely as they hugged and comforted each other while others stayed silent as a memorial service was held for the last time at the Highland Towers tragedy site.  

About 100 people, including survivors, former residents of the condominium and those who helped in rescue operations, gathered at the site yesterday in Taman Hillview to remember those who died 11 years ago.  

Many placed bouquets of flowers on the memorial structure where a plaque bearing the names of the 48 who had died used to hold centre stage, until it went missing a few years ago. 

They walked the short distance to the site, overgrown with trees and creepers, where they stood silently in prayer.  

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali also attended the memorial service and was seen comforting the survivors. 

Dr Siti Hasmah comforting Yoke Leng (right) at the Highland Towers memorial service in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. With them were former Highland Tower residents Calin Ho and her daughter Jasmine Jade Gray (left).

Former resident Chan Keng Fook and Highland Towers owners and residents committee chairman Dr Benjamin George led the one-hour service held under a white tent on the road leading to the site.  

Block One of the Highland Towers in Hulu Klang crumbled at 1pm on Dec 11, 1993. 

Residents of Blocks Two and Three moved out shortly after.  

The two blocks are due for demolition. 

A poem was recited by former resident Dr Ian Gray, who lived in Block Three.  

Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On was played in memory of Lorraine Tan.  

She was a survivor who died on Nov 30 from liver cancer and wanted the memorial service to go on despite her death. 

Tan and her husband Quah Seng Chit had lost their six-week-old son Li-Jun in the tragedy. 

Tan's younger sister Yoke Leng placed a bunch of chrysanthemums at the site. 

“I came here to pray for Li-Jun. I miss them. My sister died 11 days ago and the pain is still new. We were very close and she was my favourite sister who took care of me. I feel very empty and sad,” she said. 

A tearful Dr Siti Hasmah said she attended the service to give strength to the survivors.  

“I came to share their grief. I am sad that lessons have not been learnt from mistakes made 11 years ago. I hugged Lorraine when it happened. Today I hugged her sister and husband because Lorraine herself has died. This adds to my sadness,” she said.