Villagers in Melaka praying family is safe

ALOR GAJAH: A sombre mood has engulfed the traditional Chinese New Village of Machap Baru here.

The tragedy in Batang Kali some 180km away hit the close-knit community hard.

An entire family from the village is missing after the landslide.

Village headman Tai Pek Kuan said they have started holding prayers at temples and homes that Tai Chang Lin, 35, his wife Yu Siew Pay, 34 and their children aged four and seven will be found alive.

“We are hoping for a miracle, although the news from those now at Hospital Sungai Buloh is that we have to prepare for the worst.

“We believe in miracles. We will continue to pray,” he said.

The headman said Chang Lin was an undertaker while his wife was a teacher.

“Chang Lin is also a popular figure in this village. We are keeping our fingers crossed for his family to return.

“I am 61 and I have never seen the village so gloomy,” he said.

Chang Lin’s brother Yi Wei, 27, posted on Facebook that his family members had checked the names of those rescued at Hospital Sungai Buloh but his brother, sister-in-law and their children were not listed.

“Hopefully, we will get some news about them soon,” he wrote in the post.

Pek Kuan said the Chang Lin’s family had gone with friends from nearby Machap Umboo on the camping trip to Batang Kali on Wednesday.

“We have not been able to contact them since Friday,” he said.

Meanwhile, Melaka unity, community relationship, human resource and consumer’s affair committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said the body of a 33-year-old man from Machap Umboo had been found yesterday evening.

“We are just waiting for updates on seven other victims from Melaka,” he said.

Ngwe said eight people from Alor Gajah had joined the camping trip.

“They all know each other,” he told reporters.

“Now, we are only waiting for news,” he said.