RANAU: One of the unsung heroes involved in rescuing the stranded earthquake victims on Mount Kinabalu on June 5 was a junior Sabah Parks officer, Mithunjay Langgim.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said that Mithunjay was the person who provided the leadership that enabled the rescue operation to take place.
“He is from Kampung Kinasaraban, Ranau and was the person who was in constant touch by phone with the director and other staff to coordinate the rescue effort,” he told the media at the district office here yesterday.
Masidi also said that Mithunjay was the only person who knew how to tie the rope well as he underwent the training for it.
“With his training and through the coordinated effort by him and those on the ground, together with the guides, they managed to get everyone down,” he said.
“I am saying this not to downplay the role of the guides. They have every reason to be hailed as heroes. But there are also other heroes we need to acknowledge. The one planning and executing, who refuses to be given the limelight and his name is Mithunjay,” he said.
Masidi added that he had met the Sabah Parks junior officer.
“He is down to earth guy. He said he is happy to have helped. I met him at the Istana. To him it was not a big deal and he cannot understand why everyone wanted to interview him. To him it was just another job.”
Masidi felt that it was necessary to give the unsung hero due recognition for his role in the rescue.
“The real unsung hero is this one but he doesn’t want to talk. This is a typical Dusun character,” he said.