JANUARY 2 — These past few weeks have been full of heartbreak, sorrow and tragedy. At the time of submission of this column, more than 100,000 people are currently still displaced across eight states in Peninsular Malaysia and living in schools, community halls and makeshift evacuation shelters. 

There have been hundreds of millions of ringgit in damage to properties, businesses and countless of homes. At least 21 people have lost their lives.

While in some areas the waters have receded, thousands of evacuees are returning home and the difficult task of rebuilding has begun, other states previously unaffected are now preparing for floods in their own communities. This national disaster is now considered to be the worst flooding experienced in recent history.

Meanwhile across the Java Sea, Indonesia AirAsia QZ8501 disappeared along with 162 passengers and crew. The wreckage has since been discovered and the heart wrenching task of recovering the bodies of the passengers and crew continues throughout the day and night.

Yet amidst the anguish, pain and sorrow, we have been witnesses to inspiring and amazing examples of heroism, bravery, courage and sacrifice. 

There have been so many stories of people stepping up to do what is necessary, not shying away from that which is hard and unfamiliar. Malaysians from all over the country looked at the terrifying images, read the stories and seemingly with one voice said “Let’s do this. What can I do?”

Though we have been reminded of and humbled by the power of Nature, we’ve also been inspired. For when the waters were at their highest and so many were literally in darkness, the heroism of so many Malaysians shone bright. It is impossible to name them all but allow me to mention the following:

The medical staff of the many hospitals and clinics, particularly the 180 nurses, doctors, hospital assistants and staff of the Kuala Krai Hospital who put their worries for their own homes and families affected by the floods aside as they continued to care for their patients in the darkness and the threat of rising water.

The corporations, companies and individuals who lent their helicopters which allowed access, delivery of humanitarian supplies and evacuation of people from stricken villages and communities made unreachable and isolated due to destroyed roads and high waters.

The teams of people who went in to help our four-legged friends, rescuing cats, dogs and even livestock left behind amidst the chaos of evacuation and who are often the silent victims of a disaster. The owners of Tompok, Comel, Sparky and Pingping have them to thank. 

The thousands of uniformed personnel, military, police, firefighters, civil defence and RELA who have worked non-stop, braved the dangerous waters and saved countless of lives. We owe these women and men our deepest gratitude and respect.

Finally, the countless volunteers and donors. Whether it involved rushing to the supermarkets to donate drinking water, rice, diapers and sanitary napkins, or being part of the unending mass of people who worked day and night in more than a hundred locations across the country putting together and delivering the relief supply shipments by land and air, Malaysians went all out to help and deliver assistance. 

People from all walks of life have shown amazing strength, empathy and solidarity to the thousands of people and families affected by this disaster. This has been Malaysia at its best. United in the face of crisis and disaster. It gives us a measure of hope for the future. It also makes us believe in our better selves.

Speaking of crisis, one of Malaysia’s proud sons, Tony Fernandes, in these dark days after the disappearance of QZ8501, has shown the world a decisive, respectful and compassionate face during this tragedy. 

He did not hide away in Kuala Lumpur and palm off responsibility to the Indonesia office and the crisis management team. At every step, he has been together with them, the families of the passengers and crew and the search and rescue teams. He stood up, took responsibility and has earned the respect of the world community including the Indonesian people. 

Our prayers are with him, the Indonesia AirAsia team and the loved ones of those onboard QZ 8501.

The true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to the moment when it arrives. In the days and months ahead, through their example, these heroes sustain our hopes and dreams amidst this season of anxiety and fear. 

We open our hearts, our homes to each other and to strangers as one family. 

We will recover, rebuild and we will come back stronger than before. We are Malaysians.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.