Seven years after the massive tsunami devastated the coastal areas of Penang and Kedah and claimed 70 lives on Dec 26, 2004, it is gradually forgotten by the people.

A sober monument along with remnant of houses on the shore of Kota Kuala Muda coastline remind the people of the tragedy that claimed 12 lives there as the victims called for a ceremony to be held to commemorate the disaster.

kuala muda fishermen after tsunami "To my knowledge we have not organised any events to commemorate the anniversary of the tsunami other than holding Yassin and tahlil prayers for the victims, who perished in the tragedy," said Taman Permatang Katong Community Committee chairman Muhammad Hussain.

Speaking to reporters at the Permatang Katong tsunami resettlement scheme, he said: "The government or non-governmental organisations should hold a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the tsunami to remind the people of the devastation and measures that needed to be taken when dealing with such calamity."

Taman Permatang Katong was built in 2006 to shelter about 100 families affected by tsunami from three fishing villages, namely Kampung Kepala Jalan, Kampung Masjid and Kampung Keda along Kota Kuala Muda coastline.

Test of faith

    

On the day of the tragedy, Muhammad said feasts were held in Kampung Kepala Jalan, Kampung Masjid and Kampung Keda and he led in preparing the feast at Kampung Kepala Jalan.

The feasts were a blessing in disguise for almost all fishermen from the villages attended them and did not go out to the sea, said Muhammad, who owns a workshop, adding that otherwise there might be more casualties from the villages.

Broken Boat After Tsunami "After I finished cooking at about 12.30pm, I returned home not far from where the feast was held to take care one-years-old twin sons to enable my wife to attend the feast.

"As my wife returned home at 1.45pm, to our horror big waves struck our house and iron workshop, which were about 100 metres from the shoreline. We fled our house and took our sons to a higher ground. We waded muddy water and thank God we are alive," said Muhammad, 45.

Muhammad said he returned to the house where the feast was held and retrieved the bodies of two women there.

    

Muhammad's brother, Idris, 58, who is Kampung Kepala Jalan village chief said described the tragedy as a test of faith.

"I was traumatised for almost four months. I then feared the sound of waves, but it did not deter me from continuing working as a fisherman," he said.

Youths do not fear repeat

Idris said he was accompanying 15 family members, who came for a picnic, at the Kota Kuala Muda beach when the incident occurred.

"While serving food, the river suddenly receded before high white waves came our way and pounded on the beach at about 1pm. The surging waves came up to our knees and washed away our food and mats.

"I recited the azan (call for prayer). My family members along with four other picnickers ran through the muddy water to my house about 100 meters from the beach. We went upstairs as the ground floor was inundated.

"The surge of water brought along fish, shrimps, woods, iron and rubbish. It tore of the walls of my wooden house and took household items downstairs but we were safe upstairs," he added.

Idris said the villagers welcomed the installation of the tsunami early warning system on the beach but regretted that the tragedy did not invoke fear among the younger generation of Kota Kuala Muda.

- Bernama