Seventeen Malaysian survivors return home after Lombok landslide

SEPANG: Seventeen Malaysian survivors of the Lombok landslide have returned home after the tragic incident claimed three lives.

They were greeted with tears of relief from family members who waited at KLIA2 for their AirAsia flight to land at 3.30pm on Tuesday (March 19). 

On the same day, the remains of two Malaysians who were killed in the incident landed at 5.10pm at KLIA on a separate flight.

The two Malaysians who died were Sin Chew Daily deputy executive editor-in-chief Datin Tai Siew Kim and another woman identified as Lim Sai Wah. 

Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general (bilateral affairs) Raja Datuk Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said only four Malaysians are still in Lombok and seeking treatment. 

“We are grateful that 17 victims of the Lombok incident have arrived in the country safely. At the same time, the ministry expresses its condolences to the family members of the two Malaysians who were killed in the tragedy.

“Two of our officers from the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta were instructed to oversee the operations in Lombok and thankfully, they were able to facilitate the safe return of the Malaysian victims,” he said. 

He also said that Malaysians must remain united during tragedies.

“I want to stress here that during tragic situations like this, all Malaysians should act as one team. We must be fair and sensitive towards the family members of the victims. 

“I urge all Malaysians not to spread rumours or twist the facts,” he said. 

The landslide which occurred at the Tiu Kelep waterfall on Sunday (March 17) was triggered by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake which hit Lombok island.

Three people including the two Malaysians were killed while hundreds of others were injured in the incident.