KUALA LUMPUR: MELBOURNE University’s graduate, Elaine Teoh, and boyfriend, Emiel Mahler, who were on the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, were described as a loving couple who had utmost respect for each other right to the very end, according to Teoh’s best friend, Tan Sook Theng.
Tan, 27, said: “Seeing her so happy with the love of her life makes me, as a friend, genuinely grateful that fate brought them together. Their relationship is one that I would wish for everyone.
“They made each other so happy while bringing out the best in each other. Truly, they complemented each other’s lives.”
Tan, who has been Teoh’s close friend for 13 years, was supposed to fetch her from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Friday when she heard the plane had crashed in Ukraine with her friend among those on board.
“We last texted on Whatsapp on the day she boarded the plane and were excited to see each other again after our last meeting in January this year.
“We were supposed to spend the weekend together and we had been in touch every other week. Now, there will be no more of that.”
Describing Teoh as smart, funny, witty and beautiful, Tan said her friend was a “partner in crime and a shoulder to always lean on”.
“She had a gentle heart, always kind and a loving person. She was family.”
Teoh, originally from Penang, and Mahler, a Dutch national, both 27, lived in Melbourne, Australia, where they worked in the finance sector. The couple, who had been together since 2012, were on a holiday in Portugal and the Netherlands before taking the flight.
On the incident, Tan said: “People have the basic necessities to live; life isn’t all that complicated, but people make it so. The only thing making this world sick is that people are feeding their ego. What makes them more superior than the rest to play God?”
Teoh and Mahler’s Facebook page have been flooded with heart-rending messages from family and friends expressing condolences.
A recent post on Teoh’s Facebook read: “Gone too soon, one of the nicest, friendliest and kindest person I have ever met. A girl with a big smile but an even bigger heart.”
Je Wook Jung, a friend of Mahler, also paid tribute on his Facebook page which read: “You will be truly missed by all of us. Such a good man, we will remember all the good memories we had with you. Rest in Peace, mate.”
Meanwhile, Teoh’s brother, David, in a Facebook post said: “While I understand public opinions and comments on MH17, I urge my friends to remain wise and calm when talking about it and also keep my family and I in prayer as we are going through these tough times. Your prayers and thoughtfulness will be very much appreciated.” Bernama
