S'pore honours Kinabalu guides with shoes on quake 10th anniversary
KOTA KINABALU (July 24): A decade after the June 5 earthquake on Mount Kinabalu, Singapore continues to honour the bravery of the mountain guides who rescued its citizens and retrieved the bodies of victims.
Marking the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Ranau earthquake, Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, visited Kundasang near here today.
He met with members of the Persatuan Malim Gunung Kinabalu (Kinabalu Mountain Guides Association) and presented them with 30 pairs of shoes. This symbolic gift expressed deep appreciation for the guides' courageous actions during the tragedy, protecting and rescuing climbers.
'The tragic Sabah earthquake in 2015 affected many lives, including Singaporeans,' Vanu stated in a statement. 'My team and I came to honour the mountain guides who played a vital role in rescuing climbers and recovering the deceased.'
He highlighted Singapore's enduring gratitude: 'In 2016, we hosted a reception to thank the guides and kept in touch. Ten years later, we continue to express our gratitude. Their courage will not be forgotten.'
Vanu also thanked the Malaysian and Sabah governments for their assistance during the disaster.
'Singapore and Malaysia are close neighbours. As neighbours, we help one another, especially in difficult situations. In times of tragedy, we looked beyond nationalities and treated each other as people first.'
The 2015 earthquake claimed 18 lives on the mountain, including seven students from Singapore's Tanjong Katong Primary School and four guides.
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