GEORGE TOWN – “Don’t give up and strengthen your resolve,” advised one of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami victims in Penang to the flood victims in Selangor and Pahang.
A survivor of the horrific Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami tragedy that hit parts of West Coast Malaysia, Thailand and India, 73-year-old A. Suppiah said flood victims need to be patient and always be thankful to God despite being tested by natural disasters.
“Don’t be sad for too long. We have to go on living no matter what happens.
“I have also been tested like that. I pray for all flood victims to always be enthusiastic and continue living,” he said when met by The Vibes today.
Earlier, Suppiah performed a prayer ceremony at Miami Beach, Batu Ferringhi, here, to commemorate the tsunami disaster in conjunction with its 17th anniversary today.
In the tragedy, his youngest daughter, S. Thulaasi, who was only 22 days old back then, was swept away by the tsunami while sleeping soundly on a mattress.
Thulaasi, however, survived when the second wave of the tsunami had “returned” her to shore safely.
The tsunami had destroyed his home and café. He suffered a total loss of R62,000.
The owner of Miami Café in Batu Ferringhi over the past 26 years said it took him eight months to recover from the devastation through financial loans from friends and other parties.
“Many tourists, who are also my regular customers, helped me at that time. They called me and asked what they could help with.
“I am very grateful because many people showed their concern. They are just like Malaysians now who are united in helping the flood victims there.”
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Thulaasi, who is still fondly known as the “Tsunami Baby”, said she prayed for the flood victims to rise up better than they have been before once the disaster is over.
“I hope they do not give up. This is a test from God, and everything will go well after this,” said the aspiring accountant.
On December 26, 2004, an undersea megathrust earthquake measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale occurred with its epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake triggered a massive tsunami, killing more than 200,000 people in Indonesia, Thailand, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
In Malaysia, Penang was among the affected states and recorded 52 out of the 68 deaths nationwide. – The Vibes, December 26, 2021
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