Traffic at standstill for one minute of silence

GEORGE TOWN: Traffic from the mainland heading towards Penang Island came to a halt at the Penang Bridge toll plaza for the one minute of silence today in remembrance of victims of the MH17 tragedy.

The scene was the same at the Batu Maung toll plaza for traffic taking the Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge heading to the island.

Penang Information Department director, Ishak Ahmad who was among hundreds who observed the minute of silence on the (first) Penang Bridge said all the motorists gave their cooperation in observing the gesture.

"Although there was a traffic crawl for about three kilometres towards the Penang Bridge as a result, no motorist honked.

"Thanks to the police for helping to control the traffic flow," he said.

At the ferry terminal here, hundreds of passengers of the Pulau Rimau Ferry and Pulau Undan Ferry heading in opposite directions between the mainland and island also observed one minute of silence.

Penang Port public relations officer, Khairol Ikram Salamat said the announcements on the one minute of silence were made simultaneously on all ferries operating today and which sounded their sirens before the passengers stood in silence and said their prayers according to their religious belief.

Ferry passengers who were in their vehicles were seen getting out to stand next to their vehicles for the minute of silence to show solidarity in remembering the MH17 crash victims.

Earlier, at the groundfloor lobby of Komtar which houses several state and federal government offices, about 400 people from all races had gathered for the minute of silence.

Among them were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, family members of MH17 crash victims and members of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Society, Penang, a non-profit organisation. --

The scene was heart-wrenching when the family members and relatives of MH17 crash victims Tan Siew Poh, 85, her daughter Jenny Loh Yan Hwa, 55, and Loh's husband, Hong Kong-born Fan Shun Po, 60, wept as members of the organisation performed prayers for the deceased.

Of the three, only Loh's remains have been identified.

"The state government wishes to extend its condolences to the family members of the three victims," said Lim at the state-level ceremony to mourn the demise of the MH17 crash victims.

Meanwhile, about 800 pupils and 80 teachers of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Permai, Jalan Tengah, here, gathered at the school's open hall in remembrance of former pupil, MH17 stewardess Nur Shazana Mohamed Salleh who also died in the tragedy. The 31-year-old had studied at the school from 1989 to 1995. – Bernama