Bangkok bomb blast survivor determined to move on

BUTTERWORTH: A Malaysian survivor of the Bangkok bomb blast on Monday seems determined to move on with her life after losing five family members in the incident.

Speaking on Neoh Yee Ling's behalf, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong said the 33-year-old seems calm when he received her at Penang International Airport late Wednesday night.

He said Yee Ling, who is five months pregnant, must stay strong for her six-year-old son, Lim Jian Hen.

Mah was visiting the family at their home here where Neoh did not speak to reporters but was busy taking care of Jian Hen.

She frequently stood next to the coffins where the remains of her husband, Lim Tze Siang, 35, and her four-year-old daughter, Lee Jin Xuan, both of whom died that night.

The other three who perished were Yee Ling's mother, Lim Siew Gek, 49, her brother, Neoh Jai Jun, 20, and aunt Lim Soo See, 52.

They were in the Thai city for a family holiday when the bomb went off.

The remains of Tze Siang, Jiang Xuan, Siew Gek and Jai Jun arrived in Penang late Wednesday night while that of Soo See is expected to arrive about 10.20pm yesterday.
It is learned the funeral of Tze Siang and Jin Xuan will be held today while that for Saw Gek and Jai Jun on Sunday.

Mah said Yee Ling's hearing was affected following the blast and had received medical treatment in Bangkok.

He added Putrajaya will give RM40,000 to the family to bring home the remains of their loved ones, noting the cost was about RM10,000 per person.

"We want the family to focus on their arrangements in moving forward," he said before handing them the cheques.

Tze Siang's brother, Tze Tung, 31, said his sister-in-law also seem strong and calm but urged her privacy be respected.

Tze Tung said there were no discussions as yet on who was going to take care of Jian Hen but stressed the welfare of the preschool boy was a priority.