How it started:
There are 3 groups. The first group went out first. They walk out to the base safely.The second and third group went after the first group.The last group is the one being rescued.Its not in the plan that the group will have to move in the dark. So there’s only 3 torchlights in the last group.And the group borrowed one to the first group.
The first two groups went without realizing that the last group is not at their back.Night falls, after crossing river to a camp site, the last group with two torchlights can’t navigate well down the forked route.First we decided to stay with the camp. (If we do, then the news will be worse as the group does not know about the rescue team and have no communication with the outside world.) But we are not welcome. We are lucky enough to meet a hiker that volunteered to navigate them down the forked route.After the forked route, the group walk in 3 smaller groups with 3 torchlights (again, thanks to the hiker)The group kept walking until at a spot where we need a rest.Then everyone start to test whether their mobiles are working or not.Thats the point where the group learn about the rescue team. That time, its around 11:30pm – 12:00amAnd then with a person injured, the group decided to stop moving and wait for the rescue team.(They thought that the rescue team will arrive in like 30 min)But we waited for 2 hours ++ and they can only hear the sound of the jeep.So the group decided to send out two person (soon and me) to scout for the jeep.And the two person spot where the jeep is, and the jeep is having hard time crossing the terrain.So the group have to walk to where the jeep is and get themselves "Rescued".
The press:
The SMS actually says that its dark and the group is trying to find their way out.Its a misunderstanding between the sender and the reader. But thats fine.Its normal that father worries about daughter.What piss me off the most is the way the news is written.Yes, I understand that if they don’t write it that way, then it will actually making the case become wasting public resources…But there’s nothing serious until certain press have to use the word, "后果不堪設想" (meaning dire consequences)Yes, the group might be noob but all of them are adults that knows how to take care of ourselves.That certain press bias to a view where the whole big group is lost. ("入夜后迷失在山中")And they make sounds in a way that the group have to be rescue.Certain press mentioned -"911民防部隊" (911 Public Defense) does not exist in Malaysia… Its 991, please pay some respect to the team that can scramble and help the public, at least by remembering their name correctly. They are proud of themselves and honoured they job. You could see and feel how happy they are when they complete their mission. (The happy feeling should be including able to go back to sleep earlier)
Some press says that the group is trapped 9 hours.From the whole report, it seems that the author is playing with words like when they are sitting for their PMR, SPM essay writing paper.This also concerns me as the press is bias (不实事求是) and not professional.I won’t say that other press is doing a good job, but at least they write base on what they know and don’t add salt and vinegar.
The truth is:
The location where the rescue team located the group is very near to the base.The time taken for the rescue team to reach the group is actually longer than the time the group needs to get out.The wounded person is not the key factor that the group move slow. Its the NIGHT.With visibility aid by torchlights, the group have to move slow. Well, maybe they don’t know there’s rocks, roots and branches in the woods. Maybe they think that there’s street light in the forest where the group can run down hill…How come the first group also being categorize as lost while they can navigate and went out all by themselves.The press says that the group is trapped for 9 hours. How they calculated that ? Lets assumes that the group is lost since the sun went down. We’ll count from 7:30pm. The time that the rescue team brought the group back down the base is 2:18am. Anyone that knows how to count hours and minutes will know that its less than 7 hours. Further more, the first sms that starts all the drama were sent around 8:30…
The shame:
The group might conquered the peak, but not the base.Having some press that does not writes the facts but writes story.
Be thankful:
The person that help most is not the 991.He’s an anonymous hiker that helps the group navigates through some forked path.He volunteered to navigate the group to a section where there’s only one path down the base.He have our most appreciation and regards.Last but not least, we should still thank 991 for the bumpy ride down the last few miles.And the pakcik that kept saying "Jangan takut, saya polis"I even asked him to show me his ID
Links:
13th May 200714th May 2007
淡霓似的天空 ~~~ 