'I must stay strong': Teen steps up after Sabah landslide claims mum, sibling

Summary

• Xavier Joseph Junior vows to stay strong for his father, after a landslide in Sabah devastated their home and claimed the lives of his mother and brother.

• Xavier says he feels guilty he couldn’t save his loved ones.

Amid the grief of losing his mother and younger brother, 17-year-old Xavier Junior has vowed to stay strong for his father Jude Joseph, the only other survivor from their devastated home.

Two white coffins lay side by side, one holding Xavier's mother, Emily Johnny, 38, a nurse at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Kota Kinabalu and the other, his brother, Xarell Myre Aristothle, 11.

“My heart feels heavy. I feel guilty that I couldn’t save my mother and my brother.

“Now I just hold it in. If I cry, my father will be even sadder. Nobody can give him strength, so I must. I have to look after him,” Xavier said.

As relatives wept quietly and neighbours knelt in prayer, Xavier stood close to his father, his composure a striking contrast to the grief that filled the hall.

“I must stay strong,” he repeated.

Emily and Xarell died on the eve of Malaysia Day, when a hillside collapsed on their home as they slept.

Jude, 48, who suffers from a weak heart and asthma, sat quietly outside the hall, barely noticeable as prayers went on inside just moments before Chief Minister Hajiji Noor was about to arrive for a visit. The extremely grief-stricken Jude suffered an anxiety attack soon after meeting Hajiji.

Jude himself works as an undertaker, a man who has long helped others lay their loved ones to rest. This time, however, he found himself in the unbearable position of arranging the funerals of his own wife and son.

Nearly a hundred mourners filled the hall, offering condolences and prayers to the family.

The landslide destroyed not only their home but also those of Jude’s in-laws nearby.

Government pledges aid

Speaking to reporters after paying his last respects, Hajiji conveyed condolences on behalf of the state government and announced that both state and federal authorities would extend assistance to families affected.

“We sympathise deeply with the victims’ families. Both the state and federal governments, along with the Sabah Welfare Foundation, will provide help to ease their burden,” he said.

He added that financial assistance had already been distributed, RM10,000 for each victim, RM30,000 for each destroyed home, and further support for funeral and household needs would follow.

“This is not the time for politics. We must unite and mobilise every agency to help the victims,” Hajiji added.

At least 13 people have died in landslides and mudslides across Sabah over the past week. The victims include a 97-year-old man in Kampung Sarapung, Penampang, who was killed when his house collapsed under mud and debris last week.

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