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Tag: TKPS

  • Sabah Quake: Victims Remembered Fondly

    Sabah Quake: Victims Remembered Fondly

    The last time 12-year-old Keito Kowaka met his football team-mate Ameer Ryyan Mohd Adeed Sanjay, they went out for a meal and had bubble tea. Little did he know that it would be the last time he saw his friend, who was known for his football skills and was an member of F-17, started by local football legend Fandi Ahmad.

    Ryyan was among the six students from Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) who lost their lives when an earthquake struck Sabah on Friday. A TKPS teacher and an adventure guide engaged by the school also died on the mountain. The students were on a school trip to Mount Kinabalu.

    “He was a competitive boy and very good in football. He was called for the Singapore Sports School trials,” said Keito of Ryyan, who was vice-captain of TKPS’ football team.

    Former student Andre Aide Iskandar, 14, also recalls scouting Ryyan into the football team. He had noticed Ryyan’s footwork and speed while he was playing football during recess on the first day of school.

    “I’m very sad to hear about Ameer Ryyan because he has been like a little brother to me. I’ve been taking care of him since he was in this school,” he said.

    Yesterday, friends and family gathered for the wake of Peony Wee, 12, whose body was the first to be identified on Saturday. Speaking at the wake, her father, Mr Alson Wee, 51, described her as “active” and “jovial”.

    Smiling as he described her, Mr Wee said: “She’s talkative, which is good because she could practice her debating (skills).” He said the wake would end on Thursday morning, after which she would be cremated.

    Friends and acquaintances of the other deceased were shocked and saddened to learn of the news yesterday. Engineer Low Jun Wei, 29, met TKPS teacher Terrence Sebastian Loo on a teaching course four years ago.

    “He was very friendly and helped to break the ice between everyone by coming over and saying ‘Hello’ to all of us,” said Mr Low.

    Undergraduate Geraldine Mark was childhood friends with adventure guide Muhammad Daanish Amran. Even as a child, Daanish was an outdoor activities lover, she said. “He lives a few blocks away from me, so we used to meet at the playground every evening and play football or other games,” recounted Ms Mark, 21. “He was a funny person, really easygoing.

    Two Singaporeans remain missing: student Navdeep Singh Jaryal s/o Raj Kumar, and teacher Mohammad Ghazi Mohamed.

    Ms Lee Yoo Jin, 17, a former TKPS student who visited the condolence corner set up for well-wishers at TKPS yesterday, recounted her memories of Mr Ghazi, who led her on the same trip five years ago when she was at TKPS.

    The Physical Education teacher and hockey teacher-in-charge was a dedicated educator, said Ms Lee, citing a quote that he once wrote on the school’s album: “Leave no man behind”.

    Mr Ghazi was also Tara’s form teacher last year, and taught her English and Physical Education. “Mr Ghazi (is) a very caring teacher. He always encouraged us to do our very best. He always showed compassion for his students in everything he did,” she said.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Sabah Mountain Guides Hailed As Heroes

    Sabah Mountain Guides Hailed As Heroes

    PETALING JAYA: Sabahan mountain guides have emerged as heroes in the aftermath of a 5.9-magnitude earthquake for playing key roles in search and rescue efforts.

    Photos of the “unsung heroes” transporting injured Mount Kinabalu climbers to safer ground were posted on social media yesterday to much praise and appreciation.

    Facebook user Nona Aaliyah hailed the mountain guides as “heroes and the most kind hearted souls I have met”.

    “And I’m glad to see my mountain guide safe in this picture. Praying for the others to be back safely with their loved ones,” she commented on a photo of mountain guides getting an injured boy to safety.

    Sabah Parks uploaded four photographs of mountain guides and park rangers as they swung into action, braving damaged trails and making multiple trips to help the stranded and weakened climbers descend to safety.

    One of the photographs showed a guide carrying an injured climber on his back. It was uploaded with the message: “Thank you, Mt. Guide Ridwan”.

    A Singaporean parent identified the boy in the picture as her son.

    “Thts (sic) my son from TKP… he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries… please continue to pray for the team… can nvr thk the Sabahan rangers enough for his rescue efforts,” wrote the parent on an education-related Facebook page under the name “Sabrena El Huda”.

    Several Sabahans called for the guides involved in the search and rescue efforts to be given recognition by the state government.

    “I hope the Sabah governor awards medals to the all mountain guides involved, they all deserve it. Without them, I can’t imagine what would happen – not only will the climbers be stranded, the rescue team will probably also need saving,” said Facebook user Lea Johnsiul.

    “God bless our heroes during search and rescue! They deserve some medal or recognition from the country. Now this is Malaysia (more like Sabah) Boleh!” posted Facebook user Karen Leni Lang.

    Social media users also conveyed their condolences to the family and friends of mountain guide Robbi Sapinggi, 30, of Kampung Kiau, who died of head injuries after the earthquake.

    Katherine H Tan posted that Robbi had been tremendously brave in doing his duties up on the mountain, and prayed for his soul.

    “A very honourable spirit. Well done to all Sabahan mountain guides for their efforts. We pray from afar, may the search and rescue team find the other climbers,” she said.

    “I’m sad to hear of the deceased mountain guide. Although I do not know Robbi Sapinggi well, may his soul be blessed.

    “My condolences to his family,” posted Facebook user Loraiti Lolin Sigi.

     

    Source:www.thestar.com.my

  • Lee Hsien Loong: 8 Jun A Day Of National Remembrance

    Lee Hsien Loong: 8 Jun A Day Of National Remembrance

    STATEMENT FROM THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

    The Prime Minister is deeply saddened by the deaths of eight Singaporeans in the earthquake at Mount Kinabalu. They were one teacher and six pupils from Tanjong Katong Primary School on an overseas learning trip, plus one adventure guide. One teacher and one student are still missing.

    On behalf of all Singaporeans, the Prime Minister expresses his deepest condolences and sympathies to their families and loved ones. As we grieve over the loss of these young lives, we also take heart that they were striving to stretch their limits and take on new challenges.

    The Prime Minister also thanks all those who are working tirelessly in the search, rescue and recovery efforts – the Malaysian authorities, the search and rescue teams, the hospital staff, and all the officers and volunteers who are helping in one way or other in Sabah and Singapore.

    Monday, 8 June 2015 will be a Day of National Remembrance. State flags on all Government buildings will be flown at half-mast. One minute of silence will be observed at the beginning of the day at all SEA Games venues.

    We hope that this collective expression of sympathy and support from all Singaporeans will give solace and comfort to the families and loved ones of the victims.

    PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
    SINGAPORE
    7 JUNE 2015

     

    Source: Lee Hsien Loong

  • Sabah Quake: Faces Of The Tragedy

    Sabah Quake: Faces Of The Tragedy

    Monday, June 8, has been declared a Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Sabah earthquake.

    Six pupils and one teacher from Tanjong Katong Primary School are confirmed to have died. The Singaporean adventure guide who was with them on a school field trip also died.

    Quake Victims

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Loh Kat Teng: Losses Unfortunate, But Omega Challenge Beneficial And Should Not Be Scrapped

    Loh Kat Teng: Losses Unfortunate, But Omega Challenge Beneficial And Should Not Be Scrapped

    It is with a very heavy heart as I write this.

    My younger son graduated from Tanjong Katong Primary School last year. And yes, he was among the privileged group of leaders selected for the Omega Challenge Mt K Expedition last year. It is a trip for selected leaders from the various CCAs in school for the graduating batch and the school has been running the programme for years.

    It is a simple trip, go to KK, stay a night. Climb Mt K, stay at Pendant Hut. Go Via Ferrata for some fun but challenging activities, go back Pendant Hut to rest. Next morning do summit climb, descend the mountain, stay a night. Home sweet home. No sight seeing, no shopping, no luxurious hotels, no great food. Yet my son had set his heart for the trip for years and actually consciously worked for it by getting into the school prefectorial board.

    Prior to the trip, the school scheduled for training sessions which included serious stairs climbing. Students were also encouraged to do their own training daily which many enthusiastically did.

    What did the students learned from such a trip? They learned to be prepared by building up their physical. They learned to look out for each other and cheered each other on when the going gets tough. They learned that they could have an enjoyable afternoon without mobile phones, iPads and other electronic gadgets by just chilling and playing board games with friends. They learned to make their own decisions, my boy did not feel too well when he reached Pendant Hut and he decided to forgo the next morning’s Via Ferrata’s activity so that he could be fully rested and ready for the summit climb the following day. He made the decision on his own, we only knew about it when he came back and recounted to us. They learned to accept setbacks, the whole team did not make it to the summit as the weather was unfavourable and the teacher made a decision to halt the climb. Some cried at the moment. So did they come back depressed and disappointed? No, they came back in high spirits for they had been through a valuable experience.

    Does the school have the full support of parents for this programme? I can’t speak for others, but they have mine.

    Would the school have the courage to continue with programmes that is beneficial for students after this incident? I do hope so.

    Why am I writing this now? I just feel that at times like this when many families are still anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones, if we cannot say or do anything positive, let’s at least not make things worse.

     

    Source: Loh Kat Teng