Surviving the Movida blast
FAMILY support and a sense of humour are helping Puchong Movida bomb blast survivors S. Jaiseelan and Bavani on the way to recovery. They were injured when terrorists lobbed a hand grenade at the club on June 28. But it has not been easy.
Apart from suffering permanent damage to their health, they have to live with their reputations tainted by rumours circulating on social media following the bomb attack. Housewife Bavani, 32, said the gossip that shocked her was that a former lover was behind the attack.
“I had friends and family members asking if it was an ex-boyfriend who attacked us. Worse, some of the talk said it was an ex-husband.
“This is both our first marriage, and we were celebrating our second wedding anniversary at the club.
“Do you think it’s cheap to get married over and over again?,” said Bavani, with a laugh.
Despite her good-humoured response, the talk was hurtful. For one, the allegation that they were targeted because of links to gangsterism could have cost Jaiseelan, 32, his job as a personal driver of the director of a multinational company.
Fortunately, family support and a good employment record protect- ed them against such character assassination.
“We got a few family members, friends and colleagues asking us questions. Luckily, I have a good track record with my company,” said Jaiseelan.
“I was given paid medical leave for six months and will only start work in January.”
He added that swift police response helped to put the rumours to rest.
“I think it’s the best job that they’ve done. I want to say thank you to them for doing their level best.”
Bavani was also impressed by the speed and thoroughness of the police investigations which led to the immediate arrest of the culprits.
“The police were friendly and thorough. Within a few hours of the attack, they had all of our information in hand, including details of our social lives.
“They knew we were not gangsters,” she said.
Although life has gone back to normal for the couple after the attack, things will never be the same again for them, physically and financially.
Already a heart patient, the explosion caused Jaiseelan to lose his hearing in one ear. He walked with a limp when met at their resi- dence in Puchong.
“We suffered a lot. Our family supports us but they have their own matters to worry about too,” said Jaiseelan.
“Still, they give us a lot of love and care. Bavani’s 81-year-old mother is helping us financially.”
Bavani, who has scars on her right arm and leg, said their health is permanently affected by the bomb shrapnel left in their bodies.
“Both of us cannot go for a MRI. I have back pains and was saving up for an MRI. But the doctor said it would put our lives in danger.”
Bavani is still traumatised. To this day, she is unable to look at Movida without the explosion flashing through her mind.
Movida’s owner Roger Hew has increased security at the Puchong outlet since the attack, including installing additional closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
“Business suffered after the attack but we have loyal customers coming back. We have just undergone a RM200,000 renovation.
“We have loyal customers because we have been here six years. In return, we upgraded and renovated the restaurant to provide them a comfortable place to eat and drink.
“It’s a neighbourhood place for them,” he said, when contacted.
Hew said Movida employees have carried on working at the outlet.
“We have to continue and move forward instead of looking back at the past. Our responsibility is towards our customers and staff.
“We can’t just close down. The staff will be out of a job. We asked them if we should move to another location, but they said no.
“They can look past the incident because the government has done its duty and apprehended the culprits. They feel safe and have gone back to their normal routine.”
In addition to increasing security at Movida’s premises, Hew said they also upgraded their insurance coverage to include terrorism.
At least 15 IS militants were detained for the 2am bomb attack on the Movida night club.