I was boarding a Rapid Bus from area....to Kuala Lumpur a few days before Hari Raya (was trying to avoid the heavy jam in KL especially in Chow Kit area) I noticed there were not many passengers which made me overjoyed to relax a bit thinking that perhaps most passengers have gone "balik kampung".
26 June, 2020. We boarded the Rapid LRT Kelana Jaya Line from KL Sentral heading to Gombak station. At around 3:50pm, a lady (Saadah) around her early 60s stepped in (I think it's at Setiawangsa station). To everyone's surprise, Saadah suddenly collapsed on the floor face up. Her face became pale and drooping, she was having trouble in speaking, breathing and seeing. There were signs of joints contractures on her hands/fingers and legs/foot/sole fingers.
Immediately, I knew that it was a stroke attack. Suddenly another lady (Mdm H) rushed to scene and started to provide Saadah of what I think was some therapeutic massages with reflexology approach. Everyone was in panic and couldn't do anything. There were few ladies including one teenage girl Shima came to help. All the ladies listened attentively to every instruction by Mdm H.
I pressed the Passenger Emergency Intercom (PEI) hoping to get further help from LRT ERT Team or the Police - or possibly a wheel chair and ambulance to arrive. No response from PEI Another man came to my aid and looked for the police at every station - unfortunately there were none and the LRT moved on. (usually it was supposed to stop at the next station upon receiving emergency call) This other man was also puzzled of why there was no help or even a slight response. I asked him to press the PEI again (we ended up 3 times pressing the emergency button without any response) I rushed back to the scene to see how the ladies, Mdm H, Shima and Saadah were doing. I also looked momentarily at the CCTV hoping that the event was recorded. (I'm sure it does - and I sure hope someone is watching and reading this message)
Miraculously, Saadah got up and was properly reseated with the help of the Mdm. H, Shima and the brave ladies. Saadah was disoriented and suffered a temporary loss of memory. The last call on her phone indicated from someone by the name of Nash (possibly related - son I think). Mdm H. asked Shima to use Saadah's phone to call Nash but to no avail. Shima whatssap and sms Nash but without any response. Saadah slowly looking at Mdm H and said she's supposed to stop at Sri Rampai station to meet Nash but missed the station during the ordeal. She also recalled that she is staying in Taman Sri Gombak Phase 7 (near the mosque area). Mdm H told Saadah to return home to rest.
Shima who was staying in Wangsa Maju also missed the station but generously volunteered to help Saadah waiting for her bus T201 to ensure her safe return home. Once reaching Gombak station, I rushed to look for the police or anyone who could help - again - none available. Shima and Mdm. H helped Saadah to the elevator. Saadah could already walked on her own. Her memory started to recover. She even tried to run after the shuttle bus T201 but the bus left too sudden. I waved at the bus hoping that the driver could see me via the rear mirror but I failed to get his attention.
Saadah looks tired and dehydrated - a 20 minutes ordeal on the LRT that may have cause her life if not for the assistance provided by Mdm. H. and Shima. Mdm. H told Shima to get Saadah a bottle of mineral water and after much persuasion, she took a sip of the mineral water.
Puzzled :
1) Why isn't there a police at every station that we stopped? The Covid Pandemic is still active despite of the RMCO. The Passenger Emergency Intercom is not placed for no reason.
2) I'm too sure that the CCTV on the LRT recorded the event... I didn't have the time to record it as I was busy looking for help with the assistance of the other man at every station we stopped.
3) This could have been your member of the family, your mother, your sibling.
I"m not blaming Rapid KL but I hope if they read this, please improve your services. Conduct more emergency drills if necessary.
Mdm. H is NONE OTHER than MY beloved WIFE - TETTY HENNEY BINTI ZULKIFLI (President of Women in Governance and Technology Association of Malaysia)
Shima helped because Saadah reminds her a lot of her grandmother who suffered with stroke as well.
Missed a very important appointment at Seksyen 8 Shah Alam, but it's ok...it was well-worthed.
I am the happiest and proudest husband today. These brave ladies are strangers who never met but decided to help another stranger in trouble. They do not need any medal of honours but to me - it shows how strong ladies are - how they stand up for one another.