It’s a tragedy beyond anyone’s control
Raja Kamarul: Not something that happens all the time
PUTRAJAYA: The Puchong mining pool tragedy that claimed the lives of six well-trained firemen was a “one in a million” occurrence, says Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad.
The Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister said the six, who were members of the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA), were well-qualified to conduct search and rescue operations.
He said as they were young and fit with the oldest being 34, they were more than capable to handle the conditions.
“But the circumstances were such that this was a one in a million situation beyond anyone’s control. “They did everything they could to the best of their abilities,” said Raja.
Kamarul Bahrin, at a press conference during his working visit to the Fire and Rescue Department headquarters here yesterday.
The six firemen were Mohd Fatah Hashim, 34, Izatul Akma Wan Ibrahim, 32, Mazlan Omarbaki, 25, and Yahya Ali, 24, all from the Port Klang fire station, as well as Adnan Othman, 33, and Muhammad Hifdzul Malik Shaari, 25, from the Shah Alam station.
They were on a search and rescue mission for a teenager who fell into a disused mining pool at Taman Putra Perdana when they were dragged down by strong currents at about 9pm.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Mohd Hamdan Wahid said there was no question the six were more than qualified to carry out the search and rescue mission.
He said as members of the PPDA, they were trained according to the requirements of the PPDA including attending the Public Safety Diver training course.
“Only upon completion of the special course are PPDA members eligible to receive their PPDA allowances, which has been set by the government.
“Every PPDA member have a log book to show that they have undergone the required training every month.
“They will be denied their allowances if they fail to adhere to this procedure, and would not be allowed to conduct rescue mis- sions,” he said and added that the department has 500 trained divers including the six.
“The six are not your ordinary rescuers. Those who are qualified to PPDA are a special bunch, not everyone can do it.
“The divers are trained at the Terengganu Safety Training Centre (TSTC), an internationally recognised centre for safety and emergency training,” he said.
While the firemen performed a human chain sweeping with ropes and buoys, one of them slipped and fell with the others.
The depth of the water was only at chest level, but the undercurrents were strong due to the rains earlier in the day.
The body of the drowned 17-yearold was found on Thursday evening.
In George Town, the state government regards the six firemen as heroes.
“We are paying tribute to these brave men and our hearts go out to their families in this trying time,” said state Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
He said the state also contributed RM1,000 to each of the six families. State Fire and Rescue Department acting assistant director Muhammad Tarmizi Md Jaafar received the contributions on behalf of the families at a simple ceremony in Komtar.
Meanwhile, the department flag, the Jalur Gemilang and state flags at all fire and rescue stations nationwide are being flown at half-mast until tomorrow.
The department said in a statement that the gesture was carried out from yesterday as a mark of respect and appreciation for the six divers.