M’sians feel the tension in Christchurch
PETALING JAYA: Winston Poh was at work when the shots rang at the Al Noor Mosque on Dean’s Road, located about a kilometre away.
The 25-year-old software engineer, who has been living in Christchurch for five years, said he had to remain inside until there was more news from the authorities.
“I don’t think people in New Zealand expected an attack like this,” said Poh, who is from Cameron Highlands.
Christchurch was ordered to lock down but it was relaxed for a few hours to allow children to be picked up by their parents.
Besides the mosque, the other building attacked was the Linwood Islamic Centre on Linwood Avenue.
The two locations where the shootings occurred remained on lockdown as of press time.
Meat packer Sue Ng Cia Ling, 37, who is also enrolled in college for a part-time study programme, said the atmosphere was tense.
“I was driving home at about 2.30pm and heard on the radio about the massive shooting at Al Noor Mosque.
“I saw many ambulances and police cars speeding towards the mosque area. There were helicopters hovering too,” she said, adding that the mosque was about 15 minutes from her workplace.
“Many main roads were under lockdown. Cars had to wait and give way to ambulances and police vehicles. I waited for about 20 minutes at one traffic light,” said Ng.
“Some parents panicked and rushed to schools to get their children but the schools were also locked down. The mall near my house was also closed. No one could enter or exit,” said the Penangite.
Ng said she could not believe that the terror attack happened in Christchurch.
“People here are from diverse backgrounds and religions and have been living peacefully,” she said, adding that Hagley College where she was enrolled was also locked down until 5.50pm.
Shafiqah Ilyana, a 27-year-old speech therapy student who is also from Penang, said she felt unsafe with the whole city on lockdown.
“Everyone is just shaken at the moment. It is such a safe country, so we are extremely shocked by this horrific incident,” said Shafiqah.
Civil engineer Kevin Chew, 25, who works at the ANZ Centre located in the heart of Christchurch, said many armed policemen were seen on the streets mounting roadblocks.
His girlfriend Nellie Yung, 21, said the city was one of the safest prior to the incident.
“Never in a million years would I have imagined this could happen here,” she said.
Penang tourist Gina Ooi, 36, who is staying at Papamoa Beach, said the authorities had advised the public to stay away from mosques in New Zealand.
“I last visited Christchurch in 2017 and the place was peaceful and quiet. However, some buildings including a cathedral are still in ruins after an earthquake some years ago,” said the supply chain manager.