Singapore High Commissoner Honours Mount Kinabalu Guides On Quake’s 10th Anniversary

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Marking a decade since the devastating 2015 Ranau earthquake, Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon paid tribute to the bravery of Mount Kinabalu guides, reaffirming Singapore’s enduring gratitude for their heroism in the face of tragedy.

During a visit to Kundasang on Wednesday, Menon met with the members of Persatuan Malim Gunung Kinabalu and presented 30 pairs of shoes to the mountain guides. The gesture symbolised Singapore’s appreciation for their courageous efforts in rescuing climbers during the disaster.

Menon said the tragic Sabah earthquake in  2015  affected the lives of many people, including several Singaporeans.

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The 6.0-magnitude earthquake on June 5, 2015, struck near Mount Kinabalu, claiming 18 lives—among them 10 Singaporeans, mostly students and teachers from Tanjong Katong Primary School.

“My team and I came to honour the mountain guides who played a very important role in rescuing the climbers and helping to retrieve the bodies of the deceased.

In 2016, we hosted a reception to thank the mountain guides and kept in touch with them. Ten years after the earthquake, we continue to express our gratitude. Their courage will not be forgotten,” he said in a statement.

Menon also expressed appreciation to the Malaysian and Sabah state governments for their support during the earthquake.

"As neighbours, we help one another, especially during difficult situations. In times of tragedy, we have looked beyond our nationalities and treated each other as people first,” he said.

On June 5, 2015, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Mount Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095 metres, claiming 18 lives, including four Malaysian mountain guides and seven Singaporean primary school students.

--BERNAMA