He and other survivors of the Dec 16 landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm met the heroes who saved them at a function at the Kuala Kubu Baru fire and rescue station yesterday.

Zi Xuan’s father, David Ling, 43, said that after his son, 20, was rescued, he had made daily requests to meet the firemen who found him buried waist-deep in the landslide.

“He really wanted to meet and say thank you to his rescuers.

“Initially, it was difficult to specifically identify those who had helped him.

“Finally, yesterday, after finding out the station where the rescuers were attached, my son and I were able to go there.

“He was obviously very grateful and appreciative towards them,” said David, who lost his wife, Liu Pei Si, 44, in the tragedy.

The landslide claimed 31 lives.

Recalling the ordeal, David said he tried to contact his wife, who was a teacher at SJK(C) Mun Choong, several times after learning about the tragedy, but there was no answer.

“With the help of friends, we went searching for my son and wife at the Bentong Hospital, the Kuala Kubu Baru Hospital and the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

“I also shared information about my wife and son to facilitate the search,” said David, who lives in Kepong.

He said that he was relieved when told that his son had been rescued on the first day of the tragedy itself.

Asked about the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration, David said the family was still in mourning.

“According to Chinese tradition, the family will be in mourning for 49 days. It is really sad because normally my wife would prepare the dishes and other stuff, but now things have changed.

“No big feasts, just the normal dinner,” he said, adding that he and his son were still receiving counselling once every two weeks for the trauma.