A TRAGEDY STRUCK US
Life was going on as normal for us of Club 12/68 with the usual banter on our WE12/68 Whatsapp Channel when at about 1450 hours on 13 Dec 2017, we received a posting from Hon Mun Loong of a tragedy that struck our brother KD Richard’s Family.

It was blurry at that moment but we were informed that Richard’s family suffered as described by him as follows:
” I lost my grandson in a fire, which was burnt down by thieves after they slashed and killed the two grandparents. Four died in that fire and my other grandson managed to escape with slash wounds too. It happened this mng at 6,00 am at Tg Sepat home by the sea … on way to Sepang.”
There was an immediate response from most of us exuding condolence and grief over his loss. We attended his daughter’s wedding at NUPW in PJ. This must be the son of that daughter and her husband.
Later on the incidents that happened got clearer through our squads’ query as well as through the MSM and social media. What was revealed was that ‘Richard’s besan” was assaulted by a known family friend. Other then the couple, the assailant also  assaulted  the grandson and set fire to the house. Another grandson, 12 years old managed to escape. The house was razed to the ground. I guessed by now we would have got a clearer picture what happened. Richard was devastated. Who wouldn’t? Losing 3 family members in a moment of frenzy and madness by the assailant.
I saw the President’s query and words of condolence. He was “shocked with disbelief and at that moment of grief asked if ‘there is anything I can do? I am just a call away”,  There were more after that. The President and a few more suggested that we start a ‘collection’ in monetary form to contribute to Richard and Family. In our mind it would at least offset the lost and hopefully contribute to the administrative requirement as well as rebuilding the house.
That started the ‘Collection Drive’. We received contribution from as far as the USA, Hong Kong and Australia besides those in residence. All contributions were managed by HashimYahaya, Bakar Baba and Apai. All collections were in cash and a group of us went to Richard’s house on the morning of  17 Dec 2017 to hand over the collection.

There was a total of more than RM 12,000.00. Hashim Yahaya spoke, Apai spoke, Bakar Baba spoke and Isa Hassan also spoke. Richard and wife , Veron was overwhelmed with the ‘support’ shown by his squads. He responded amongst others’ I am overwhelmed by the responses from our intake. I and wife are ever grateful.
Let us hope Richard and Veron will stay resolute in overcoming this terrible episode in their family life and emerge stronger. We wish them well.      
JohnH