Grief – and even denial – as kin identify the dead

SUNGAI BULOH: The tears flowed, the sorrow was palpable while some families were even in denial as the process of identifying the dead from the Batang Kali landslide continued for a second day.

Family and friends were crying as they entered Hospital Sungai Buloh to go to the hospital’s Forensic Department. Distraught, most refused to speak to the media or be photographed.

One family member was visibly upset as he stepped out after identifying the body of his niece, who was in her 40s.

Also at the hospital was Tan Ah Choe, 66, the mother of teacher Hong Mei Jing.

She had told reporters at the Ulu Yam Baru police station on Friday that she was harbouring hope that her daughter was not among the victims.

Sadly, her hopes crumbled yesterday.

A volunteer with the Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia said that some family members were still “holding on to hope” despite being told that their loved ones had died.

He added that volunteers and counsellors were on standby to help the victims’ families if needed.

“Many of the families are still holding on to hope, even though we know there have been several victims.

“Some families are too distraught and do not know what to do,” the volunteer said.

“We accompany the families and try to guide them through the process to hopefully make it easier,” the volunteer added.

At Hospital Selayang, a man in his 40s sat waiting at the hospital lobby.

He had promised to offer his time and moral support to his university mate and his wife who had survived the landslide.

“I am here because he called me. He said he needed me to drive him home because his car was badly damaged in the landslide,” said the man, who said he would offer his shoulder as support for his friend.

“When he needs help, he’ll just have to call me,” he said.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh also came to give support to a man looking for his missing wife at the Sungai Buloh hospital.

“I do not have any updates. I am here to meet with the family.

“They are trying to find information about his wife,” the Segambut MP said before walking into the hospital.

She left about an hour later.

In a Facebook post, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said the wife and child of one of his party members also could not be contacted.

Later, Sungai Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu confirmed that the man’s 19-year-old son was safe at Hospital Selayang but his wife had died.

“Besides help from the Federal Government announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, I also urge the state government to give some compensation,” Liu said.