Survivors of the Wild Tides: A Singaporean Couple Braces Through Lombok’s Double Quake
Picture this: a sunny July afternoon, a 50‑year‑old Singaporean, Mohamad Tahar Jumaat, and his wife, on a mission to sprinkle a bit of Singaporean spirit across the Indonesian archipelago. They were halfway through coaching 20 National University of Singapore students when the first tremor hit.
First Shiver – 6.4 on the Scale (August 7)
- Impact: 6.4‑strength quake rattled the island, claiming 14 lives.
- Survival Story: Our dynamic duo stayed strong, holding their own through the bumpy ride.
Second Slam – 7.0 on the Scale (Sunday Night)
- Impact: A 7‑magnitude blast sent chaos into this picturesque locale, wiping out at least 98 people.
- Feelings: The couple later told The New Paper that this second quake felt genuinely heart‑stopping.
For these Singaporeans, the double dose of tremors proved more frightening than a dance off at a karaoke bar—only this time the stage shuddered beneath them. The unexpected close call has left a lasting impression on their adventure‑seeking spirit.
Singapore Couples Take The Plunge in Lombok’s Aftershocks
After swooping off the last NUS students on the Friday flight home, Mr. Mohamad Tahar Jumaat and his wife, Madam Rosmawati Moenir, decided to stay and roll up their sleeves for the humanitarian mission in Sembalun, a charming village near Mount Rinjani on Lombok.
It was a Quake‑Fueled Roller Coaster
They endured a string of aftershocks that rattled the whole island last week. “They were scared, and we just huddled in the hotel lobby instead of the room,” Mr. Tahar admitted. “We felt it was safer, and it was a cosmic way to practice for a conference room Zoom call!”
Big? Small? The Second Quake—A Real Nerve‑Racking
Ms. Moenir told TNP that the second quake caught them on a car ride toward a hotel close to the airport. “It was dark, the lights went out, and I was like, ‘For real—run out of the car!’ Everyone was screaming, crying, hugging—what could be a bit of a panic rave?” she laughed after the fact.
Helping Hands: Raising Money for Little Folks
- The couple and their support team raised $19,000 in a week.
- This money went to about 400 families whose homes had been turned into rubble.
- Mr. Tahar hopes the cash can help people buy a little joy or cover “in‑between” needs ignored by the standard relief packets.
“…we had people sharing shortages, and some felt frustrated with how aid was moved around. It’s like trying to share a pizza but no one gets the last slice!”—Mr. Tahar shares a bit of his indignation.
The Night Under the Stars
With little air on a Sunday, the duo slept out in a tent, under the kind of night that makes you think, ‘Where are we?’ The next day was a quick trip: flying out of Lombok, landing in Kuala Lumpur, and finally arriving in Singapore that evening.
Red Cross & Mercy Relief Step In
Singapore Red Cross is sending $50,000 to the Indonesian Red Cross, along with a response squad to sort relief distribution and do a ground survey. Mercy Relief is also mobilizing its team today for on‑site operations and partnership.
While the world closes its eyes to the earthquakes that keep threatening these islands, the squad of volunteers from Singapore kept their eyes open, clutching their phones, and after an intense, noisy night, delivered hope to the real‑life heroes—those countless families on their regained rooftops.
