The Malaysian Insight

FLOWERS for the Batang Kali landslide victims keep pouring in at the gates of SJKC Mun Choong despite the school authorities telling the public to refrain from doing so.  

Mourners continued to visit the school and lay flowers at the gate, as a sign of respect to those involved in the deadly landslide that have so far taken 24 lives. 

The Malaysian Insight visited the primary school on Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and encountered three women who brought bouquets of flowers to the school. 

The women pointed out that they were saddened to learn that the school’s teacher had died in the landslide and had come to pay their respects.  

They said they were not aware of the notice issued by the school prohibiting continued flower offerings at its gates. 

In addition, they hoped those who are still missing will be found as soon as possible.

A security guard at the primary school told The Malaysian Insight that although the school had issued a notice prohibiting flower offerings at the school gate, many people still came to pay tribute. 

“This is a sad accident, and we don’t know how to refuse everyone who turned up, so we put a long table next to the security booth for people to lay their flowers.” 

Initially those who showed up put the bouquets under the school’s signage at the entrance, but now the school has used tape to cordon off the area.  

Besides this, the People’s Hua Xiao Xi Foundation also launched a fundraising campaign to assist the families of the deceased teachers. 

Leong, one of the directors of the foundation, is also the finance director of the Parent Teacher Association.  

He said that has received enthusiastic responses from well-wishers since the launch of the fundraising campaign.  

“All funds will be allocated to the families of the victims according to their needs.  

“Later, the team will also issue a press release with details about the fundraising.”

He added that the fundraising will run from now until December 26. 

The principal, the teachers and the head of the association declined to speak when contacted by The Malaysian Insight. 

No fewer than 23 people from the school – seven of them teachers – as well as their friends and families, had joined a camping trip to the Father’s Organic Farm on Friday. 

According to reports, six Chinese primary school teachers, three students and two cafeteria workers were killed, and only one teacher was rescued. 

In the early hours of December 16, a severe landslide occurred at the camp in Batang Kali. 

The height of the landslide was 30m and the area was 0.4ha. The mudslide caused by the landslide rushed into the farm and trapped about 100 tourists. 

As of now, 24 people have been killed in this accident, and the search and rescue team is still looking for nine missing persons. – December 21, 2022.