Sabah earthquake: Assumptions, allegations, accusations — Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab

JUNE 11 — On June 5, 2015, Malaysia woke up to the tragedy of the Sabah earthquake. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake that lasted 30 seconds hit Ranau, Sabah. However, the devastating loss that the earthquake caused lasted longer. At least 18 people died on Mount Kinabalu, while 137 were trapped on the mountain before being rescued.

Social media has been flooded with prayers and condolences for the victims of the Sabah earthquake. One article, specifically written by an Australian Vee Jin Dumlao, has gone viral. She recounts her harrowing experience being trapped on Mount Kinabalu, her guide who led her group to safety, and her condemnation of the rescue team for their supposedly slow response. 

Ms Dumlao’s traumatic experience may have clouded her judgement on the actual efforts undertaken on the ground. 

In her recounting of the events following the earthquake Ms Dumlao stated that the skies were clear, making it possible for the helicopters to come and rescue them. She was upset that the helicopters didn’t come when they were supposed to. Ms Dumlao was further frustrated when she was informed that they would only be able to rescue her and her group the following morning. From where Ms Dumlao was standing the skies were probably clear. She was on top of the mountain. However, just below the peak of the mountain the skies were not clear, it was covered in a thick layer of clouds that were impenetrable. Helicopters were sent up as promised, the first one at 12.02pm, but the helicopter was unable to pierce the clouds. Twice the helicopters tried. Both times they failed.

When the helicopters were able to finally penetrate the clouds much later in the afternoon, they were unable to land. The helicopter circled several times but because of the land conditions and the weather conditions it was unable to land safely without endangering everyone on the mountain. Their last resort was to air drop the food and the supplies. But, due to the weather being hostile, and the winds blowing strongly, the pack got blown down to an inaccessible area. Ms Dumlao believed this was done on purpose. The intention of the pilot was obviously to drop the supplies to the trekkers, however, due to the weather, the supplies were blown into the ravine.

In her article she believed that the Malaysian Government was “determined” to leave the climbers on Mount Kinabalu. Such unfair allegations must be clarified. Ms Dumlao, probably due to the trauma that she went through, was not aware of what actually took place. Rescuers were sent in three batches. One at 9:30am, the second at 1:35pm, and the third at 3:30pm. The first team reached KM 6.5, they met with a group who had injured trekkers and brought the group to the camp Laban Rata. When the other two teams reached Laban Rata they were advised by the guides to not go up further. The falling stones and the changing landscape of the mountain would make the mountain a dangerous place to navigate in the dark.

Ms Dumlao mentioned that many more people could have been rescued if the rescuers did their proper job and if the helicopters had gotten there in time. I don’t disregard her views and I don’t dispute her. However, from the hospital reports that we received relating to the post mortem of the victims, they died an instant death. Again, Ms Dumlao’s assumptions were incorrect.

It’s understandable when you’re faced with a horrible situation, time seems to stand still, minutes seem like hours, and hours seem like days. For Ms Dumlao her experience on Mount Kinabalu was tragic and frustrating. When tragedy hits we tend to assume that everything is going wrong, I don’t blame her. The circumstances that she was under made her to comment in the way she did. Even if the losses could not be helped.

Nevertheless, I thank Ms Dumlao for the recognition of the efforts from the guides. If it were not for her praises these people would not have gotten the recognition and the praises that they deserve. The guides are known as the Malim Gunung and she has made us very proud of them.

The government rescuers also deserve praise and recognition. I understand that due to the fact that Ms Dumlao was under different circumstances, she did not realise their efforts, because she had the benefit of having a guide who was true to his duty. However, for other survivors such as Mr Rahimi Hadzri, the rescuers were given due recognition. Mr Rahimi was rescued by the government rescue team and complimented them on their efficiency and acknowledged that they had done their best to rescue those who were stranded on the mountain.

Although both Ms Dumlao and Mr Rahimi have different views of what happened, it doesn’t mean only one is the truth. The undisputed fact was that the rescue teams and the mountain guides worked together in order to save the stranded trekkers. The stories from both parties have shown that the rescuers, whether they were governmental or non-governmental, have proven that they are experienced, responsible and committed to their duty.

* Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab is Secretary, National Security Council, Prime Minister’s Department.

-themalaymailonline.com