Kinabalu's Fallen Heroes: Remembered, Two Years Later

On 5 June 2017, exactly two years after the devastating 2015 earthquake in Ranau (Read here), I came across an Instagram post by Jenefer Raymond that read:

"It's been 2 years since the day we wish never came... but it did, and all we can do is to accept what God has planned for us. He separated our loved one from us, but for sure will bring us all back together someday... Our tears still flow as we feel the emptiness you left that can never be filled... Till we meet again dear brother... May your soul rest in peace in the Kingdom of God."

Her words were addressed to her late brother, Tom Ricky Raymond, one of the victims of that tragic disaster.

Although I do not know Jenefer personally, she once revealed in a comment on my blog post “The Gomoron Connection” that we are distantly related through family roots (Read here). Reading her heartfelt tribute, I was reminded of the profound grief carried by her family - grief shared by all who lost loved ones in the tragedy.

On that fateful day, 5 June 2015, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Ranau, Sabah, near Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was one of the strongest quakes ever recorded in Malaysia, unleashing landslides and massive rockfalls. Eighteen precious lives were lost - including climbers from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and China - while many others were injured or stranded high on the mountain.

Amid the chaos, the Kinabalu mountain guides, mostly locals from the Dusun community, emerged as true heroes. With trails obliterated and rocks still crashing down, they risked everything to rescue others: carrying the injured on their backs, guiding terrified climbers down treacherous slopes, and braving repeated aftershocks.

Tragically, four mountain guides themselves made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and aiding climbers. They were Robbie Sapinggi, Valerian Joannes, Joseph Solungin, and Ricky Masirin (Tom Ricky Raymond) - the brother Jenefer so lovingly remembered.

In the aftermath of the disaster, Pos Malaysia issued a 60 sen commemorative stamp titled “National Heroes – Kinabalu Guides.” The design portrays a mountain guide carrying a climber over jagged rocks - a simple yet powerful image that captures their courage and selflessness.

This stamp is more than just a piece of postal history. It stands as a symbol of resilience, sacrifice, and humanity - a lasting tribute to the bravery of the Kinabalu guides and a reminder of the lives forever changed on that dark day in June 2015.

BB Connection

Friendships come in all forms. In the case of the good friends made in the university, it's quite natural and easy to discuss and talk about serious matters. In the case of casual friends, it's difficult to talk about serious matters. One would be considered blessed if you have friends whom you can talk about both personal as well as seemingly trivial matters without being laughed at or ridiculed.

I got to know K. Ravi in the early 1980's when we both served as Warrant Officers of the Second Kota Kinabalu Boys Brigade Company under the jurisdiction of Basel Christian Church KK. K. Ravi who came from West Malaysia decided in late 1970's to look for opportunity in KK, Sabah. He started off as an announcer in RTM. Being an ex-BB boy, he was keen to join a church which has a BB company. By divine intervention, he was led to Basel Christian Church KK. Beside BB connection in KK, he found his wife in KK as well. After the birth of his first child, his family decided to move back to West Malaysia or rather Johor Bahru.

After leaving Sabah some 35 years ago, he recently came back to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of BB First Company in Sabah. This celebration was more for boys who are now in their sixties and officers of the First KK Company. The 1st Company was officially launched in year 1967. Both K Ravi and I are not part of that legacy but were invited to join in the celebration.

K. Ravi has been working in the the media and the newspapers all his life. He is currently the Press Secretary of the Johor Royalty reporting to the Sultanah.

Reminiscing and sharing old time in KK during
the early 80's in the dinner at Dreamtel..

At the Dinner at Dreamtel.

Group photo after dinner in Dreamtel.

Dinner at New Gaya Seafood Restaurant.

After Sunday Church Service at BCCM KK. 

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A group photo taken in early 1980's when 

we were  Warrant Officers of the 

2nd KK BB Company.

Group Photo of Chaplain, Captain and Officers of the
2nd KK BB Company.

L - R: Blogger, Pastor Yong Tin Jin,
Chaplin Rev. Pang Ken Phin,
Captain Donald Soh,
W/O K. Ravi, Ms. Ho, 
W/O Liew Yun Fung.