ROTTERDAM: IT would seem that the whole city turned up yesterday to pay their last respects to Malaysian-born Loh Yan Hwa and her husband Fan Shun Po, a couple they called their own.
Loh, 54, better known as Jenny, and Fan, known as Popo Fan, were among the 298 people aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 who died last Thursday when the aircraft was shot down over Ukraine.
The couple, who ran two restaurants, with one that earned a Michelin billing called Asian Glories in Rotterdam, were travelling with Loh’s mother, Tan Siew Poh, 65.
Led by Mayor Ahmad Abdoetalib and Dutch celebrity chef Herman den Blijker, the stolle tocht, or the silent walk, which started at Schouwburgplein, or Theater Land, in the port city, snaked its way up the streets, down the underpath and along the shopping malls until it reached Dimdaily, one of two of the couple’s eateries.
Hundreds, wearing white and clutching white flowers, stood in silence as photographers clicked away.
The clicking gained momentum as Kevin Fan, the couple’s only son, emerged to join the short walk just around the corner to Asian Glories, a favourite among tourists from Malaysian, locals and celebrity chefs here.
Kevin cut a vulnerable figure, trying his best to face the world in the wake of the tragedy that robbed him not only of his parents but also his maternal grandmother.
The drizzle didn’t stop the couple’s fans and friends from paying their last respects. The drizzle, however, stop them from carrying candles.
Outside the restaurant, waitresses stood holding candles in
silence as Aboetalib put white lilies on top the growing pile of flowers.
“We have lost two great entrepreneurs who were running a successful business in Rotterdam. They were well-known entrepreneurs in Rotterdam. They were active in business as well as in social life. We will miss them.
“We want to show our solidarity with families who have experience a great loss due to this tragic incident.
“With this gesture, we want to share our emotions with each other. It’s amazing to see how many people took the initiative to come out today, even on a windy and rainy day,” said Aboetalib.
Earlier, friends and supporters went inside the restaurant to watch a video clip of Loh, Fan and Tan. Many were seen sobbing uncontrollably.
Kevin, 30, later said it was agreed that the burial for his parents and grandmother would be in Malaysia.