Two decades after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, AC Fanny Koh and DSP Tew Meng Hwee share their inspiring tale of courage, duty and resilience.
By: Domnic Dass
Getting ready for the interview, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Fanny Koh, 2 Deputy Director Operations (Development), Operations Department, greets us warmly before settling into her chair. With her is Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tew Meng Hwee, Officer-in-Charge of the Gambling Investigation Team in the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Their expressions are thoughtful as they prepare to revisit their first overseas deployment.
Two decades have passed, yet the details remain razor-sharp in their minds – the urgent call, the devastation they encountered in Phuket, Thailand, and their profound mission to locate missing Singaporeans.
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster claimed more than 230,000 lives across 14 countries, leaving an indelible mark on those who responded.
“Some experiences change you forever,” AC Koh begins. “The 2004 disaster was one of those defining moments.”
DSP Tew nods in agreement, adding, “Even now, 20 years later, certain images, certain moments, remain as vivid as if they happened yesterday.”
Racing Against Time: The 30-Hour Countdown
On 26 December 2004, a massive 9.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Aceh, in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean. In Phuket, Thailand, more than 1,000 Singaporeans in the affected region were reported missing. Among the public agencies that were called upon to support post-tsunami operations was the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
In the chaotic hours following the tsunami, AC Koh, then Deputy Head of the Anti-Vice Branch in the CID, had just 30 hours to assemble and deploy the SPF’s first overseas Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team. She drew from her years of experience as an Operations Officer (Planning) in Clementi Police Division, where working across different units and getting things organised were her daily routine.
“One of the most important decisions was choosing the team,” AC Koh recalls. With characteristic foresight, she prioritised Thai-speaking officers from the Anti-Vice Branch who were trained in the Interpol DVI Protocol – a decision that proved invaluable in the days ahead.
First Steps
The SPF DVI team arrived at Phuket International Airport on 31 December 2004 and were quickly plunged into scenes of overwhelming destruction.
DSP Tew recalled, “We had to bring all necessary equipment with us to carry out our DVI work.” This included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like masks, coveralls and gloves to safeguard against biohazards and infectious diseases.
Other vital items included body bags, DVI forms, fingerprinting kits and cameras. These were critical for accurately documenting and identifying victims.
The team stayed at a hotel that served as the initial Singapore Contact Centre (SCC) before relocating to a church. The SCC became a vital hub where relatives and friends of missing Singaporeans could obtain information about their loved ones. It also coordinated rescue efforts, DVI operations and media engagement sessions.
One of the most critical moments came early in the deployment. Representing Singapore among response teams from more than 20 countries, as a rather young officer then, AC Koh advocated to remain in Phuket.
“It was essential for us to stand firm and stay where Singaporeans had been reported missing, as this was where we were most needed. Moreover, we were already working alongside with our counterparts from the Metropolitan Police of the United Kingdom and the Australian Police,” she explains.
Journey to Wat Yan Yao: Into the Heart of Devastation
To carry out their duties, SPF DVI officers commuted daily to Wat Yan Yao temple in Takua Pa, a two-hour journey through a landscape that forever changed by the tsunami’s ferocity. The temple had been transformed into an international DVI operations centre, becoming their base where they undertook the task of identifying victims.
Every day, Thai soldiers would bring bodies to the temple’s holding area. “Each identification required a detailed process,” AC Koh explains, her professional demeanour momentarily softening as she describes their meticulous work. “We labelled bodies systematically, documented physical features like tattoos and dentures, extracted DNA samples, recorded fingerprints and performed dental charting – each step bringing us closer to giving families the answers they desperately sought.”
Working 10-12-hour days in full PPE, the team faced extreme conditions. “The temperature often soared past 30⁰C, with the thick air with decay,” recalls DSP Tew. “Our breath was laboured behind protective masks.”
Standing Firm: Singapore’s Voice in a Global Response
The SPF DVI team’s expertise soon earned international recognition for their innovative fingerprint lifting techniques using a powder method.
“This experience reminded me that as a small nation, we must add value to be heard,” reflects DSP Tew.
As she carried out her duties in Phuket, AC Koh found solace in quiet reflection and simple gestures, like care packages sent from home. A welfare initiative by the SPF helped deliver personal items from loved ones to the officers, with AC Koh fondly recalling receiving her favourite gummies and sports gear.
Twenty Years On
The work of the SPF DVI team brought much-needed closure to many families affected by the 2004 earthquake and tsunami. “What kept us going wasn't just duty, but knowing every identification would end a family’s agonising wait,” reflects DSP Tew. “Knowing that powered us through the heat, exhaustion and emotional toll.”
The SPF’s disaster response capabilities have evolved significantly. DVI officers step into their roles equipped with enhanced protective gear, cutting-edge identification technology and – most crucially – the wisdom of those who carried out this vital work before them. The DVI team also undergoes regular training to maintain its operational readiness.
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