HULU SELANGOR - A Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel involved in the search and rescue (SAR) operations of the Batang Kali landslide, was in despair when it was learned that his neighbour's daughter was one of the victim perished in the tragedy.
Jeremy Chew, 49, said his neighbour's family had informed of the matter to him on the first day of the tragedy.
"As soon as I received the news, I offered myself to be involved in the SAR operations without any second thoughts.
"I am an entrepreneur, but my duty as an APM member is more important, I want to be involved in finding those who are still missing, especially when one of the victim was my neighbour's 11-year-old daughter," he said to Sinar on yesterday.
He said this task entrusted to him has to be shouldered with full responsibility.
"The SAR operation was not an easy task, many challenges and difficulties must be faced, however, everytime I'm tired, I'm reminded of those families of victims who are relied on us in hope to recover their missing family members.
"I have always put myself in their shoes, if my family members were to be involved in the tragedy, I will want them to be found even if they were dead," he said.
He said although the physical conditions of the location were quite challenging, it wasn't an obstacle to ensure the operations run smoothly.
"I was on duty at the operation location as early as 3am on the first day of the SAR operations.
"Movement at the location is quite difficult, considering the condition of the soil and sand dug by excavators which could cause our body to sink waist deep if not careful," Jeremy said.
At 11.15am on yesterday, a man was found at sector B (Farmview).
This brought the total deaths to 26 victims.
The SAR operations resumed today (Thursday) to find the remaining seven missing victims.
Jeremy Chew, 49, said his neighbour's family had informed of the matter to him on the first day of the tragedy.
"As soon as I received the news, I offered myself to be involved in the SAR operations without any second thoughts.
"I am an entrepreneur, but my duty as an APM member is more important, I want to be involved in finding those who are still missing, especially when one of the victim was my neighbour's 11-year-old daughter," he said to Sinar on yesterday.
He said this task entrusted to him has to be shouldered with full responsibility.
"The SAR operation was not an easy task, many challenges and difficulties must be faced, however, everytime I'm tired, I'm reminded of those families of victims who are relied on us in hope to recover their missing family members.
"I have always put myself in their shoes, if my family members were to be involved in the tragedy, I will want them to be found even if they were dead," he said.
He said although the physical conditions of the location were quite challenging, it wasn't an obstacle to ensure the operations run smoothly.
"I was on duty at the operation location as early as 3am on the first day of the SAR operations.
"Movement at the location is quite difficult, considering the condition of the soil and sand dug by excavators which could cause our body to sink waist deep if not careful," Jeremy said.
At 11.15am on yesterday, a man was found at sector B (Farmview).
This brought the total deaths to 26 victims.
The SAR operations resumed today (Thursday) to find the remaining seven missing victims.