Turkey – Syria Earthquake: stand with victims and frontliners

By Yeap Ming Liong
Associate Captain, Malaysian Civil Defence Force

I would like to humbly call on all Malaysians to stand in solidarity with the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. It is the least we can do as Malaysians. Keep them in your prayers and thoughts. It is my personal hope and prayer to see more victims rescued and reunited with their respective families.

Please also spare a thought and prayer for our uniformed frontliners comprising among others members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department and Members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART).

They are faced with their own set of difficulties and challenges, but are doing their best in the line of duty.  Social media photos and news reports show weary faces and tired personnel racing against time to rescue as many victims as possible.

One can only imagine the hardship they encounter. However, they do all these, and more without asking for much. It is the commitment, dedication and above all duty to the King and country that gives them the strength to soldier on one more day.

Please remember that our frontliners on site do not ask for much. They too have families waiting for them back home and let us unite and channel our prayers and well wishes for them to execute their Search and Rescue (SAR) mission successfully and return home to Malaysia safely. In the same breath, please also keep the Fire and Rescue Department’s tracker dogs Denti and Frankie in your prayers.

Let us appreciate and remember their sacrifices and do not take them for granted. We are fortunate enough to be able to count on them in our darkest hours. They truly are Malaysia’s finest who have selflessly upheld duty to God, King and Malaysia.