By: Terence Fernandez (Mar 17, 2011)
GOD knows where to send the tsunami to. He knows we’ll be able to take it and rise from the ruins." These words of a survivor of the 2004 tsunami in Banda Aceh found its way back from the recesses of my mind over the last few days. I, like many of you, have been trying to fathom the overwhelming images coming out of Japan.
The man I met in Banda Aceh had lost his family in the Boxing Day disaster that killed over 250,000 people in at least seven countries – most of them in Indonesia. (I heard he has since remarried and started a new family) He also said: "If it had been you, your people would not have been able to cope. You have not experienced hardship before." Many Acehnese live in abject poverty. It was a hostile region with rebels in the jungles launching regular attacks on government forces and the populace. In this aspect, the killer waves of Dec 26, were a blessing in disguise as the rebels battered by the natural disaster laid down their arms.
Today, Banda Aceh has become a stop on the routes of many international airlines as its people embrace capitalism. Likewise, the Japanese had risen from the ashes of the atomic bombings which ended World War II to become an economic superpower. They are now severely disadvantaged on the playing field but in the words of Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia Masahiko Horie, "We will rise again!" Ironically, Japan was among the largest contributors to Banda Aceh’s rehabilitation efforts – over RM500 million to rebuild roads, schools and homes as well as revive the fisheries industry.
Today it stands on the receiving end of the aid it had so generously given out before. Hence it was surprising that Horie had announced conditional acceptance of aid. Not that the Japanese reject foreign help, but only that it be done systematically and properly with regard to the nation’s sovereignty. But as he spoke, one understands what Horie meant. That rescue efforts must be focused on the victims. The Japanese Government cannot be distracted, attending to disorganised and lost well-wishers in the disaster zone, especially now when the situation is compounded by the risk of a nuclear meltdown. Hence the Japanese Embassy’s plea to Malaysians – both individuals and organisations – is to be self-sufficient and to latch on to other NGOs and agencies, which already have a good network in the disaster zone. Therefore, those intending to give aid must get themselves together and ensure what is it exactly that they want to do. If it’s merely a Malaysia Boleh exercise where we only want to plant our flag, then perhaps it’s best to save our time and the Japanese further grief.
Horie and his staff illustrated the stoic dignity of the Japanese people. Basically stressing that while help is appreciated and welcome, it must not impede on Japan’s own efforts to help its people. They don’t want to end up rescuing droves of foreigners – not at this time. And before some Good Samaritan starts passing the hat around, it would be wise to do a means test. For Banda Aceh, one Malaysian political party had grand ideas of a luxury orphanage with swimming pool, cafeteria and gymnasium, when even ordinary schools did not have a need for a canteen as the children bring their own food from home. Back to the Indonesian survivor’s assessment of whether we as Malaysians would be able to deal with an enormous tragedy. I think every person when pushed to the brink has the potential of rising above adversity. The question is will we learn from tragedy and be better than before? We have had our fair share of calamities – nothing that can come even close to what the Japanese are facing right now or the Acehnese, Thais and Sri Lankans before them.
The fact that we keep trying to cut corners and build on dangerous slopes, despite numerous landslides show that we are slow learners. Perhaps we need a lesson of Biblical proportions before we wake up. Even then, we may still be a long way from the quiet resolve of the Japanese who have exhibited dignity since Friday’s events.
Absent is the looting and rioting. In its place, long orderly queues of people waiting patiently to buy essentials from grocery stores. And there-in lies the lesson that the Japanese had taught the world in 1945 and again now – that in the face of the most severe adversity, we can overcome and rise from the ashes if we get rid of our arrogance, have a game plan and stick together.
It’s times like this when Terence realises he lives in a blessed country. He hopes others realise it too. Feedback: terence@thesundaily.com
Article's URL: http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=58901
GOD knows where to send the tsunami to. He knows we’ll be able to take it and rise from the ruins." These words of a survivor of the 2004 tsunami in Banda Aceh found its way back from the recesses of my mind over the last few days. I, like many of you, have been trying to fathom the overwhelming images coming out of Japan.
The man I met in Banda Aceh had lost his family in the Boxing Day disaster that killed over 250,000 people in at least seven countries – most of them in Indonesia. (I heard he has since remarried and started a new family) He also said: "If it had been you, your people would not have been able to cope. You have not experienced hardship before." Many Acehnese live in abject poverty. It was a hostile region with rebels in the jungles launching regular attacks on government forces and the populace. In this aspect, the killer waves of Dec 26, were a blessing in disguise as the rebels battered by the natural disaster laid down their arms.
Today, Banda Aceh has become a stop on the routes of many international airlines as its people embrace capitalism. Likewise, the Japanese had risen from the ashes of the atomic bombings which ended World War II to become an economic superpower. They are now severely disadvantaged on the playing field but in the words of Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia Masahiko Horie, "We will rise again!" Ironically, Japan was among the largest contributors to Banda Aceh’s rehabilitation efforts – over RM500 million to rebuild roads, schools and homes as well as revive the fisheries industry.
Today it stands on the receiving end of the aid it had so generously given out before. Hence it was surprising that Horie had announced conditional acceptance of aid. Not that the Japanese reject foreign help, but only that it be done systematically and properly with regard to the nation’s sovereignty. But as he spoke, one understands what Horie meant. That rescue efforts must be focused on the victims. The Japanese Government cannot be distracted, attending to disorganised and lost well-wishers in the disaster zone, especially now when the situation is compounded by the risk of a nuclear meltdown. Hence the Japanese Embassy’s plea to Malaysians – both individuals and organisations – is to be self-sufficient and to latch on to other NGOs and agencies, which already have a good network in the disaster zone. Therefore, those intending to give aid must get themselves together and ensure what is it exactly that they want to do. If it’s merely a Malaysia Boleh exercise where we only want to plant our flag, then perhaps it’s best to save our time and the Japanese further grief.
Horie and his staff illustrated the stoic dignity of the Japanese people. Basically stressing that while help is appreciated and welcome, it must not impede on Japan’s own efforts to help its people. They don’t want to end up rescuing droves of foreigners – not at this time. And before some Good Samaritan starts passing the hat around, it would be wise to do a means test. For Banda Aceh, one Malaysian political party had grand ideas of a luxury orphanage with swimming pool, cafeteria and gymnasium, when even ordinary schools did not have a need for a canteen as the children bring their own food from home. Back to the Indonesian survivor’s assessment of whether we as Malaysians would be able to deal with an enormous tragedy. I think every person when pushed to the brink has the potential of rising above adversity. The question is will we learn from tragedy and be better than before? We have had our fair share of calamities – nothing that can come even close to what the Japanese are facing right now or the Acehnese, Thais and Sri Lankans before them.
The fact that we keep trying to cut corners and build on dangerous slopes, despite numerous landslides show that we are slow learners. Perhaps we need a lesson of Biblical proportions before we wake up. Even then, we may still be a long way from the quiet resolve of the Japanese who have exhibited dignity since Friday’s events.
Absent is the looting and rioting. In its place, long orderly queues of people waiting patiently to buy essentials from grocery stores. And there-in lies the lesson that the Japanese had taught the world in 1945 and again now – that in the face of the most severe adversity, we can overcome and rise from the ashes if we get rid of our arrogance, have a game plan and stick together.
It’s times like this when Terence realises he lives in a blessed country. He hopes others realise it too. Feedback: terence@thesundaily.com
Article's URL: http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=58901
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