Singapore envoy pays tribute to Kinabalu guides on 10th anniversary of quake
In commemoration of the 2015 earthquake in Ranau, Sabah, Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon visited Kundasang near here yesterday.
He met members of Persatuan Malim Gunung Kinabalu and presented them with 30 pairs of shoes.
The shoes were a symbolic gesture of appreciation to the mountain guides who acted with bravery to protect and rescue others during the tragedy.
He added that the tragic Sabah earthquake in 2015 had affected the lives of many people, including Singaporeans.
"My team and I came to honour the mountain guides who played a very important role in rescuing the climbers and helping to retrieve the bodies of the deceased.
"In 2016, we hosted a reception to thank the guides and kept in touch with them.
"Ten years later, we continue to express our gratitude. Their courage will not be forgotten," he said in a statement.
Vanu also thanked the Malaysian and Sabah governments for the assistance rendered. He said Singapore and Malaysia were close neighbours.
"As neighbours, we help one another, especially during difficult situations.
"In times of tragedy, we have looked beyond our nationalities and treated each other as people first."
The earthquake claimed 18 lives in the mountain, including seven students from Singapore's Tanjong Katong Primary School and four guides — Robbie, 31, Joseph Solungin, 33, Ricky Masirin, 28 and Valerian Joannes, 28.
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