Malaysia & The Tsunami

tsunami ('soo-nah-mee')
Comes from the Japanese words 'tsu'(harbour) and 'nami' (wave).

In Malaysia, 59 people have perished in the tsunami hit. I spent my morning frowning over the newspapers and listening to the radio... The reports of horror, tragedy and sorrow was overwhelming.

But typically, Malaysians being Malaysians... these reports were intermingled with a lot of balderdash. Rubbish. Tripe. Pure nonsense.

On the local radio's morning program:

"The tsunami hit Malaysian shores because of all the Christmas trees Malaysians cut down last week"

Yes ma'am. We Malaysians grow LOADS of Virginia Pines and Balsam Firs on our soil...

"I don't know why the idiots on the beach didn't see it coming... I mean, like, if I was on the beach and I saw a huge wave swelling up and coming towards me, I'd, like..you know, RUN!"

Aside from being utterly insultingly insensitive, this genius is prattling without the benefit of facts. Tsunami wave amplitude is normally less than one metre. Any sign of it may be more than a 100 kilometers away. Tsunami waves CANNOT be seen or detected from the air either... so no warning can be given out in time. I hope next time, Mr. Genius uses his head before he speaks out on national radio. If I had lost a loved one to the Tsunami and had to hear this fool call my dearly departed an IDIOT... There's no telling what I'd do.

SMS Frenzy has hit Malaysians once again. Whenever tragedy strikes, you can bet on getting an SMS from an 'informed source'.

"Don't go on Penang bridge between 7pm and 8pm today because another earthquake will occur."

"Avoid the roads along Banjaran Titiwangsa because the soil has moved and it will all collapse"

"Do not walk along the shores of Feringghi because some of the beaches have formed quicksand and you may be sucked in without warning."

I won't even dignify these with comments

An interesting discussion has arisen though... with regards to Insurance... In the light of the millions-worth of damages, people are curious and worried as to how it may affect them.

Famous Last Words from the Insurance Supervision Department of the Central Bank of Malaysia (from before the disaster...)

"Malaysia is geographically a natural disaster-free country"
"There is no available statistics on insured economic losses due to Malaysia's minimal exposure on natural disasters"

I guess this Department will be having an immediate meeting to discuss and alter their mindset...

It should be noted that basic home owner's insurance does not cover every contingency. If a person feels that he lives under situations which are volatile and faces the risk of natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes, he needs to purchase additional protection to cover his home. However, most of commercial properties and about 25% of private properties in Malaysia are insured against natural disasters.

In the Malay Mail today, a lawyer was quoted to have said that "although there are exclusion clauses including the 'act of God' claim, insurance companies can do their social bit if they want to".

Yes, that's true... And I'd love to see which saintly insurance company would have a big enough heart for this act of generosity.

It's not impossible, I know. A Taiwan insurance company made a hefty payout on compassionate grounds to typhoon victims six years ago.
But then again......Insurance is a business, first and foremost. All I can say is, lets wait and see...

But already there are people who are seeking a way to profit from a 'potential' windfall. Hoping to claim from the government or insurance companies for injuries and losses that did not occur. It's a real shame that such wickedness is still prevalent at such times...

My heart & prayers go out to all of those who have been affected by the Tsunami.

And to those who choose to exploit this tragedy...
Be warned : A Tsunami isn't the only Act that God can perform...