MKN Denies Accusations By Australian Hiker Against Rescue Efforts At Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) on Thursday denied the assumptions and accusations against the rescue team, by Australian hiker Vee Jin Dumlao after surviving the Mount Kinabalu earthquake incident. In an interview by ABC News, she recounted her harrowing experience being trapped on Mount Kinabalu that has gone viral in the social media. National Security Council (MKN) secretary, Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab said her statement was made probably due to her traumatic experience while being trapped during and after the earthquake, and was unaware of what actually took place. "Dumlao's traumatic experience might have clouded her judgement on the actual efforts undertaken on the groud. "She recounted her harrowing experience being trapped on Mount Kinabalu, the mountain guide leading her group to safety, and condemned the rescue team for their supposedly slow response," he said in a statement, here, Thursday. He said in her article, Dumlao stated that the skies were clear, making it possible for the helicopters to come and rescue them, but she was upset that the helicopters did not arrive when they were supposed to. Dumlao was further frustrated when she was informed that they would only be able to rescue her and her group the following morning, he said. "She was at the mountain top. However, just below the peak of the mountain the skies were not clear but covered by a thick layer of clouds that were impenetrable. "Helicopters were sent up as promised, the first one at 12.02pm but were unable to pierce the clouds. Twice the helicopters tried and both times they failed," he said. Thajudeen said when the helicopters were able to finally penetrate the clouds much later in the afternoon, they were unable to land. Although the helicopters circled several times but because of the land and weather conditions, they were unable to land without endangering everyone on the mountain, he said. "Rescuers were sent in three batches starting at 9.30am, then at 1.35pm and the third at 3.30pm. "The first team reached KM6.5 where they met with a group which had injured trekkers and brought them to the camp at Laban Rata. When the other two teams reached Laban Rata, they were advised by the guides not to go further up. The falling stones and the changing landscape of the mountain would make the mountain a dangerous place to navigate in the dark. "I don't disregard her (Dumlao) views and I don't dispute her. However, from the hospital reports that we received relating to the post-mortem of the victims, they died an instant death. Again, Dumlao's assumption was incorrect," he said. Thajudeen said another survivor, Rahimi Hadzri, who was rescued by the government rescue team, however, had complimented them on their efficiency and acknowledged that they had done their best to rescue those who were stranded on the mountain. "Although Dumlao and Rahimi have different views of what happened, it doesn't mean that only one is true. The undisputed fact is that the rescue teams and mountain guides worked together to save the stranded trekkers. "The stories from both parties show that the rescuers, whether they are from the government or non-governmental side, have proven that they are experienced, responsible and committed to their duty," he said. --BERNAMA