It is now almost the middle of the 15 day Chinese New Year celebrations and we've had a few recent events that I should be writing about. However, today I think it is more appropriate to reflect on our activities this week. This past week, quite a bit of our time, and Kiong's time in particular, has been involved in helping a family of a Malaysian who died here in Queensland. Andrew went missing during the recent floods while travelling near Gatton, and his body was recovered from Sandy Creek. His mother and his uncle flew to Brisbane to bring his remains home to Malaysia. He was in his mid 30s.
Andrew was his mother's only child and her sole source of support. As you can imagine, his mother is devastated. She doesn't just have to deal with her own grief and pain, but also all the red tape and arrangements that must be made in such cases. It's not an easy path to navigate, and in Andrew's case it was further complicated because of the circumstances of his death. There are many people to liaise with - the Police, Liaison Officers, Department of Foreign Affairs, Malaysian High Commission, Work Cover, his Bank, the Coroner, and of course the funeral home and crematorium. Without knowing what to do or without some guidance, it would be very easy to get confused and feel overwhelmed, even for a local.
Kiong was approached by the Malaysian High Commission to help provide support to the family and to deal with the bureaucracy and all stakeholders. As always the High Commission staff have shown much care and concern for the welfare of their nationals, and they have been very helpful. The Police Liaison Officers - public servants who work tirelessly for the people of Queensland, have been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the whole process. We cannot speak more highly of them. Purdy and Weng Mun have taken so much time to help Andrew's mum and uncle and have stepped them through all parts of the process. When there have been difficulties, they have been persistent and pressed to make sure that the family have received the care and consideration they deserve and the answers they need. The Malaysian High Commission has also liaised closely with us and with the Police Liaison Officers to ensure everything is in place for the repatriation of his remains. Martin Gomes from Metropolitan Funerals has provided his expertise and care through all aspects of the funeral arrangements.
We attended the service in memory of Andrew yesterday at Mount Thompson Crematorium. His mother and his uncle, the Police Liaison Officers, the funeral director Martin Gomes, and a few of us AMBCQ members, Kiong, Ben, myself and baby Alvar were in attendance. In the absence of a pastor, Kiong conducted a brief service for the family, and we organised a small wake afterwards. Andrew hadn't been in Australia for very long and it seems his lifestyle here was basic. His efforts were concentrated on supporting himself and being able to send some funds home to his mother.
Andrew had come to Australia for the same reason as many others - to find a better life for himself and to provide for his family. It is very tragic way for all those dreams to end, so far from those who loved him the most. And for his mother who no doubt had aspirations for him and for the future for her child, the tragedy will stay with her for the rest of her life.
Sometimes we are involved in activities that go far beyond the normal activities of typical bilateral business councils. Our members are highly supportive of this, and know that while we are a government-recognised business council, that profit cannot be the sole driver and purpose of any organisation, and members of the Australia Malaysia bilateral business community in Queensland and even elsewhere support AMBCQ strongly on this and other points. This is also why we have been approached not just by Malaysians but also by Australians, Americans, Chinese, Singaporeans and others for all types of assistance and support through word of mouth.
The last few days have been sad and confronting days, as will the next few days until Andrew arrives back to his loved ones, but it has also been a privilege to be witness to Andrew's memory, and a privilege to spend time with his family and try to provide any comfort we can.
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