When we saw the news this morning about the earthquake in Sumatra — just
across the Straits of Malacca from where we are — I commented that Malaysia
should be safe from the threat of tsunami because the earthquake was on the
far side of the island of Sumatra. Obviously, I was wrong.
As the death tolls continue to rise throughout the night, it’s clear that the
greatest devastation has occured in India and Sri Lanka, although it is chilling
to see the see images of destruction from Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia and
Phuket and Kerabi in Thailand, all of which we have visited. The southern end
of Peninsular Malaysia appears to have avoided the the destructive tsunamis.
In any case, Kuala Lumnpur is sufficiently inland that we would not have been
in danger anyway.
Thanks to those who have expressed concern. Please keep the people of Southeast
Asia who have suffered this catastrophe in your thoughts and prayers.